Overview of the issues and challenges for the conservation-restoration profession in Greece

Abstract

Considering that conservation-restoration (CR) has been recognised as a profession for the past 25 years, it is still viewed as a new discipline and there is a constant need to communicate the importance of the work we do for the protection of the national Cultural Heritage (CH). There is still little public awareness for the profession and this has, as an indirect result, its disconsideration.
 Conservators-Restorers (CRs) are responsible for safeguarding CH, for past and future generations, and the need for acquired competencies has been well documented over the years. In Greece, the professional CRs are the holders of an EQF-6 degree or higher (Masters, Ph.D), however, the national educational system has created discriminations within this level that hinder their accessibility to the work market and professional development. Additionally, the existence of different educational levels is creating inconsistencies in the working environment.
 The legislation for the regulation of the CR profession is well established in connection with the law for the protection of CH. Nevertheless, there are issues and challenges that need to be adjusted, revised and reformed. One of the most important limitations of the CH law is that it only protects objects/monuments prior to 1830, therefore not covering contemporary and modern monuments, allowing for interventions on the latter to be applied by non-CRs. Furthermore, parts of our CH that are not under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture and belong to other state or private organisations, remain unprotected and unregulated considering their care and maintenance.
 Part of the regulation of the profession is setting the rules and competences for the private sector by appointing a licence to practice CR as a freelancer or contractor. The current version of the law is hindering the accessibility of younger professionals to enter the private sector thus limiting their professional development and requires reformation. Although the legal framework that regulates the CR profession in Greece appears to be strict, it also includes ambiguities and generalities which result in creating signiÞcant inconsistencies. These legal, practical, ethical issues, ACAWA-Gr is trying to resolve. Its mission remains the safeguarding of the profession and the promotion of public awareness on the protection of CH.