Surveys progress over the last two decades in the development of international standards and methods for the protection of monuments initiated by the Charter of Venice. This development must be considered in relation to theory and practice. International opinion has not rejected the validity of the Charter's philosophy but has to find ways of achieving it in the context of varying cultures, traditions, climates, building materials, and types of monuments. Several attempts have been made at redrafting the Charter, but further development is a part of everyday work rather than a theoretical exercise. The control of the architectural environment is a worldwide problem and interest in it is growing. At a time when the social framework is rapidly changing, there is an increasing need for a philosophy which provides a firm basis for the development of the historical environment. -- AATA