2024 marks the 70th anniversary of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. This landmark Convention, adopted on 14 May 1954, was the first international treaty devoted entirely to the protection of cultural property. It was a response to the devastation of the Second World War and was initiated by the UNESCO General Conference. Austria ratified the Convention in 1964.
The Convention protects movable and immovable cultural property of great importance to the cultural heritage of humanity. It prohibits the destruction, theft and looting of cultural property in times of war and promotes preventive measures in times of peace as well as respect for cultural property in times of conflict. Culture is seen as an essential part of human identity and a source of resilience in times of crisis.
Over the past seven decades, the Hague Convention has made a significant contribution to the protection of cultural heritage and has been ratified by more than 130 States. However, the protection of cultural property in conflict situations remains a major challenge. The continuing destruction of cultural property in armed conflicts around the world underscores the continuing relevance of this Convention.
UNESCO and its partner institutions organised numerous events and campaigns this year to celebrate past achievements and intensify efforts to protect cultural property.
This year, the Center for Cultural Property Protection, with the support of UNESCO, participated in and hosted important anniversary events. These events not only highlighted the achievements of the Hague Convention but also emphasized the immense importance of cultural property protection in today's world:
From May 13 to 15, 2024, a major international conference took place in The Hague under the motto "Cultural Heritage and Peace: Building on 70 Years of The Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict." Organised by UNESCO and the Netherlands, the event provided a platform to discuss the importance of protecting cultural property.
Anna Kaiser, Head of the Center for Cultural Property Protection, was invited to the conference in her capacity as a militia officer in the Austrian Armed Forces. In her speech, she highlighted the life-saving importance of cultural property protection, emphasising its far-reaching impact and essential role in times of conflict.
Since 2016, the Center for Cultural Property Protection has organised the renowned lecture series "Spotlight Cultural Property Protection". In 2024, this series was dedicated to the anniversary year and was held as an Anniversary Edition over four evenings. The events covered a wide range of topics, including humanitarian aid and disaster response in the context of cultural property protection.
The lecture series provided an excellent platform for experts and interested parties to exchange views on current challenges and innovative solutions. High-level international speakers from various disciplines shared their valuable experiences and insights, providing participants with in-depth insights into the practice of cultural property protection. The lively discussions and inspiring presentations highlighted the central role of cultural property protection in times of crisis and underlined the urgent need for international cooperation and commitment.
From September 23 to 27, 2024, the Center for Cultural Property Protection, in cooperation with the National Defence Academy and the Office of Culture of the Principality of Liechtenstein, organised the Cultural Property Protection Course 2024. Under the patronage of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), this course provided international civilian and military participants with a valuable opportunity to deepen their knowledge and exchange views on the latest developments in the field of cultural property protection.
Dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Hague Convention, this year's course provided a platform for intensive dialogue and cooperation. Participants gained practical insights from interdisciplinary experts and practised in a realistic hands-on exercise how to effectively manage the protection of cultural property by different actors in times of crisis.
Another important event was the international conference "Cultural Property Protection in the 21st Century: Meeting Requirements across the Forces", which we organised in cooperation with the National Defence Academy in Vienna. The conference highlighted the challenges and opportunities of cultural property protection in military conflicts.
Experts from the military, academia and international organisations discussed the role of cultural property protection within the armed forces, the latest developments and the role of new technologies in cultural property protection. These events underlined the continuing relevance of the Hague Convention and the necessity to protect cultural property in times of armed conflict.
The 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its two Additional Protocols form the international legal framework for preventing and mitigating harmful effects on cultural heritage. The Center for Cultural Property Protection, in cooperation with UNESCO, makes a valuable contribution through continuous education, training and international cooperation. The measures of the Hague Convention contribute significantly to the protection of cultural property also in times of peace and are a central element of the study and continuing education programs of the Center for Cultural Property Protection.
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