EEAS International Conference on 'The Role of the European Union on the Protection and Enhancement of Cultural Heritage in Conflict and Crisis'

This virtual conference discusses the importance of protecting cultural heritage as a diplomatic and advocacy tool for the European Union (EU) towards building peace, security, and development globally. The conference held on November 12-13, 2020, can be viewed on the Youtube channel of the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM). The event was co-ordinated by Guillaume Décot, European External Action Service (EEAS) and Damien Helly, Culture Solution Organization. 

The conference took place on the fiftieth anniversary of the UNESCO 1970 convention, which provides a framework for combating illicit trafficking of cultural property. It brought together experts from diverse backgrounds ranging from academic and civil society organizations to international and regional foundations. During the exchange, participants explored synergies between the EU and Member states to promote the ‘humanitarian-development-peace nexus.’ 

Some of the topics discussed at the conference are:

• The need for multi-actor approach, with attention for community ownership 
• Building bridges between cultural heritage practitioners 
• Cultural heritage and recovery perspectives for a sustainable peace