protecting international cultural heritage

A Review of International Committees

Sara Bartels

PROTECTING INTERNATIONAL

CULTURAL HERITAGE

Established in 1954Developed after World War II due to the massive

looting and destruction of cultural artifacts Second Protocol

ANCBS Use of emblem to mark cultural properties for enhanced

protection Military authorities need to respect and follow Second

Protocol Measures for Safeguarding cultural property in peacetime

Enhanced Protection

HAGUE CONVENTION

International Committee of the Blue Shield

Comprised of Five international non governmental committees

International Council on Archives

International Council of Museums

International Council on Monuments and Sites

Co-ordinating Council of Audiovisual Archives

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEES

ICBS objectives: Facilitate international responses to threats or emergencies

threatening cultural property Promote risk preparedness Train experts nationally and regionally to prevent and

control disasters Act in an advisory capacity for protection of cultural

heritage Consult and Cooperate with other international communities

Museums should have preventive planning for worst case scenario

Cultural Heritage Institutions need to assume responsibility

ARMED CONFLICT

Immovable cultural property includes buildings such as churches, palaces or castles, bridges or monuments.

Movable cultural property comprises archives, library collections, sculpture and furniture.

Active and Passive Protective Measures Identify all objects/ monuments at riskUse traditional risk assessment techniques to apply to

cultural heritage objectsPrepare for damages of war and then secondary

damages such as fire or floodPre-conflict, During conflict and Post conflict actions

PREVENTION & RISK MANAGEMENT

Take social and economic factors of the country into account when planning for disaster management

Need to understand historical heritage of buildings and traditions in conservation to continue to preserve

MANAGING DISASTER RISKS

UNESCO called for a ban on trade in Haitian artifactsCultural Recovery CenterBlue Shield assessed the damage and suggested the

following: Replace shelves Equip books with bar code Deacidification processes of serial publications Bookmobiles to continue library service Campaign donations for books Archives

Increased technology/ digitization Dust and reconditioning of collections Training

HAITI

After Haiti, IFLA created Principles of engagement Profile countries and determine their cultural heritage risk Collaborate with internal/ external stakeholders Assist in raising funds Know how to respond in an emergency Understand the limited resources, financial and technical

and human time Engagement on the ground

Determine resources within the country Provide expertise Provide training

IFLA

LIBYA

Looting of the museum brought new light to the work still needed on the international protection of cultural property

Staff members hid most of the artifacts15000 artifacts were stolenUse of cement blocks to close entrancesSurrounded statues with foamPlaced blue shield on roof of museumMany experts denied access to assist with restoration

of destroyed itemsCreation of Red lists/ One Hundred Missing ObjectsU.S. Blue Shield Committee started in aftermath of

Iraq

IRAQ

Blue Shield Statement on MaliPreservation of Ancient Manuscripts9 mausoleums have been desecrated UNESCO established Special fund

TIMBUKTU

International Committee of the Blue ShieldHague Convention International Council on Archives International Council of Museums International Council on Monuments and SitesUnited States Committee of the Blue ShieldUNESCO International Blue Shield’s Mission to HaitiHeritage at Risk IFLA Principles of Engagement

LINKS AND RESOURCES