After the Second World War, the issues related to the protection of monuments became particularly acute on an international scale.. In many countries, the resources of monuments have decreased; therefore, on the initiative of UNESCO, work was undertaken on the project of international protection of cultural property. As a result of this work, the Hague Convention was promulgated in 1954 r. on the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict. Relatively few countries have ratified this Convention and is therefore of no practical importance..
On the deep need for international cooperation in the field of the analysis of theories, the establishment of rules and means of action in the conservation or rescue from the destruction of monuments is evidenced by the establishment of a permanent international body in the field of monument protection. In year 1964, at the II International Congress of Architects and Technicians for the Protection of Monuments, which met in Venice, Resolution was adopted on the establishment of the International Council of Monuments and Historic Sites — ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites).
A major achievement of this congress was also the adoption of a new Conservation Charter., so-called. Venice Charter, which formulated the principles of conservation work at the international level, while giving each nation the opportunity to act with its application within its own culture and native traditions..
In the work of the Venetian Congress, Polish representatives showed very active activity, what made, that in June 1965 r. the First Congress of Conservators was held in Warsaw and Krakow, organized under the patronage of UNESCO. At this congress, the objectives and tasks of international cooperation in the field of monument protection were discussed and the establishment of the international organization ICOMOS was implemented., which brings together national committees of many countries, including Polish.
As later experience has shown, the "Venice Charter" does not present all the conservation issues., in particular, it does not affect the protection of historic urban complexes in the process of contemporary urban and spatial planning tendencies. Therefore, in 1976 r. the international committee of ICOMOS experts has developed a document in Warsaw called the "Warsaw Recommendation". This document defines the basic principles of protection of historic complexes, including the community living and operating in their area., as well as the surrounding environment.
From the material presented in a nutshell, it is possible to conclude, that both in domestic activities, as well as in the international movement, social and scientific organizations played a very important role not only in clarifying the norms of conduct, but also specific activities in the field of monument protection. This factor decided, that our legal regulations provide for the possibility of taking care of monuments and historic complexes by social organizations or institutions, showing interest in this area. The form of care can be very diverse, from security activities to the takeover of patronage by large workplaces or even ministries. In some cases, historic buildings may be handed over for use to state institutions, social organisations or individuals guaranteeing compliance with statutory protection rules. This form of care is especially supported, when the monument, apart from utilitarian needs, will serve at the same time for purposes related to the dissemination of culture and didactics, especially in tourist traffic.
The interaction of social carers plays a huge and positive role in the protection of cultural goods. At the same time, it is an expression of a new relationship., that have developed in the consciousness of the society of our country in relation to monuments.