The Aanaar / Inari Statement on the diversity of sacred natural sites in Europe

Declaration drawn up by participants of the third workshop of the Delos Initiative, IUCN Specialist Group on Cultural and Spiritual Values of Protected Areas, on the diversity of sacred natural sites in Europe, held at Aanaar/Inari, northern Finnish Lapland on 1–3 July 2010. Amongst the subjects discussed were the role of the remaining indigenous traditions in Europe (e.g. the Sami), the increase in threats to sacred natural sites (even within protected natural areas) and the most important strategies and actions being employed in Europe by government agencies and/or religious institutions to address these challenges and to preserve the spiritual, cultural and natural heritage of these sites.