«Toward a stronger connection between Culture and Nature: paving the way to a sustainable future»
Barcelona, 30.09.2025 — Opening Address of Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, Federal Coucillor and Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs, at the side event hosted by the Federal Office of Culture during Mondiacult 2025 in Barcelona. Check against delivery.
It is a true honour to welcome you to this side event “Toward a stronger connection between Culture and Nature: paving the way to a sustainable future.” From the ancient paths carved through mountains by generations of travellers, to the traditional farming methods that have shaped our valleys, our history and our environment are deeply interconnected. Looking at the landscapes that surround us, we see how closely cultural and natural heritage are woven together. They have evolved side by side for millennia, influencing one another in ways that define our identities and sustain our lives. And yet, we have allowed institutional and disciplinary boundaries to divide what is, in essence, indivisible.
Our conservation frameworks and policies have often treated cultural and natural heritage separately - missing the opportunity to address them as a whole. This divide is no longer tenable. In a world shaped by climate change, biodiversity loss, social inequality, and rapid technological transformation, we must move toward integrated approaches - ones that reflect the living relationships between people, their environment, and their heritage. It was first recognized by the visionary World Heritage Convention, established in 1972. Today, this convention stands as the most powerful instrument for heritage conservation at the global level. Its unique system highlights the profound synergies that exist between conservation practices, related to both cultural and natural values.
This approach has truly taken flight in recent years through several groundbreaking initiatives, which will be discussed today. Why does this matter? Because the conservation of our common and shared heritage depends on understanding the environment in which they exist. The Saloum Delta, in Senegal, is a striking illustration ot these strong links. It is one of the selected sites for the elaboration of the Enhancing our Heritage toolkit, which Switzerland supported. For over 2000 years, communities have relied on its fragile ecosystem for fishing and shellfish gathering, creating shell mounds – some with burial sites – that testify to centuries of settlement and trade. These mounds shaped the landscape itself, stabilizing islands and forming unique cultural sites tied to biodiversity. The continued existence and integrity of this cultural heritage depends on conserving the delta’s mangroves, waters and ecosystems.
Cultural practices and natural resources sustain each other
Cultural practices and natural resources sustain each other. This example underscores a profound truth: nature and culture are united and indivisible. Another example for the strong links between cultural and natural heritage can be found on the shores of the Lake of Geneva in Switzerland, within the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces. For nearly a millennium, generations have shaped the steep slopes into terraces, optimizing the microclimate to produce renowned wines. This living cultural landscape reflects centuries of agricultural traditions, architectural heritage, and community identity tied directly to its natural setting. If a significant change in agricultural practices or environmental degradation threatened the vineyards, both the wine culture and the historic character of the region would be at risk. An integrated approach means safeguarding both its cultural and natural legacy. In that sense, the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage has also changed how we see these connections.
Across the world, cultural traditions and knowledge systems have contributed to protecting landscapes, ecosystems, and sacred places. They show us that people, culture, and nature have always been part of the same story. Switzerland strongly supports these conventions. We believe they are essential for building a sustainable future for our shared heritage. But this requires working together, across borders and sectors, to define shared standards, principles, and commitments. Mondiacult provides such a platform where countries come together to share values, set common goals, and act collectively.
In today’s challenging global context, this spirit of multilateralism is more important than ever. Only through cooperation and solidarity can we ensure the protection of our heritage for future generations worldwide. And so, I am deeply honoured to open this discussion today – bringing together representatives of the leading organizations working at the intersection of culture and nature. Together, let us explore how to bridge the divides, strengthen collaboration, and build a truly integrated approach to conservation – so that culture and nature can stand together at the heart of a sustainable future.