The decree founding and establishing the structure of the Museum of the History of Catalonia (Decree 47/1996 of 6 February) stipulates that the purpose of this museum is "to conserve, exhibit and raise awareness of the history of Catalonia as our joint heritage and to strengthen citizens' sense of identification with the nation's history". In order to achieve these objectives, the museum "is to encourage and organise activities to raise awareness of the history of Catalonia and to co-operate with others to increase the study and dissemination of this history".