Call For Expressions of Interest to Host the General Assembly & Conference 2026

The Blue Shield General Assembly 2026 will be a major cultural heritage protection event, which will offer opportunities to:

• explore highly topical issues and key trends of interest to the field, with a curated programme of exceptional speakers, panels, and open discussions, open to all those interested in cultural heritage protection in crisis
• connect with all those working in heritage protection in crisis from heritage protection, humanitarian, and uniformed sectors, including armed forces and emergency responders
• take part in training/workshops for Blue Shield members
• discover the culture of another country through cultural activities and tours
• interact with international and local vendors and suppliers bringing the latest technology/services to the field in cultural heritage protection and response before, during, and after crisis
• join fellow Blue Shield members, National Committees, the Board, and the secretariat, to attend meetings, working sessions and address required agenda items (Members only)

The prospective hosts should establish an Organising Committee, made up of representatives of the national committee, or those intending to form one and partners (such as professional conference organisers, or host venues, e.g., universities).

Those wishing to host the General Assembly should

• read this Information Pack and
• complete the Application Form (Annex B), and
• supporting documentation as required (e.g. Annex C).

On successful selection to host, the Organising Committee will enter into a formal Hosting Agreement with the Blue Shield, represented by its international Board: this will set out the partnership role in the event, the responsibilities of the Organising Committee, the provisions they undertake to provide for the event, and placement of any potential share of any surplus from the event. A draft of the Hosting Agreement is in Annex D: the agreement may be modified as needed to reflect the agreed provisions of the event.

Those taking on the organisation of the General Assembly will partner with the Blue Shield Board to host the event and will be offered support from the secretariat (see Section 4 for division of responsibilities). The event, along with the host city, receives significant international and online promotion, increasing global awareness of the importance of cultural heritage protection, the city, and the surrounding region. The Blue Shield International secretariat and Secretary of the Board work closely with the Organising Committee to develop the event. The Blue Shield Board approves the content of the event programme, which will include topics of relevance to cultural heritage protection field, and which must adhere to the Blue Shield’s ethical principles and core values.

Blue Shield’s Board is the overall decision-making body for the event. Blue Shield is wholly responsible for the content of the Congress programme. Topics will be of relevance to culture and CPP and may include but not limited to human rights, religion, sexuality and gender, and indigenous matters.

Blue Shield issues a call for expressions of interest on 06 May 2025.

The Application Form (Annex B) with all required information must be submitted by Board Secretary Anna Puhr (anna.puhr@icloud.com) by 20 June 2025. Please include in the email subject field “Confidential – Blue Shield General Assembly 2026 Expression of Interest”.

Submissions will be reviewed by the Blue Shield secretariat staff for completeness and if necessary, clarification may be sought on some details.

A preliminary list of candidates from submissions that meet the criteria will be provided by the secretariat to the Blue Shield Board. The Blue Shield Board will review them in its July meeting and will make its decision regarding the host, based on the criteria and the information provided by each candidate. Preference will be given to established National Committees, followed by those already in the process of founding a committee, and then those who intend to do so.

All candidates will be advised following the meeting whether they have been successful or not. The Board will commence business arrangements and planning with the successful Organising Committee. The Organising Committee are expected to sign the Hosting Agreement by Friday 26 September 2025.

The event is expected to be held in July 2026; however, this can be modified in discussion with the Board.