Following the devastating loss of cultural heritage in the wars in the first half of the twentieth century, the international community came together to agree the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict in 1954. The Convention calls on State Parties to undertake measure in peacetime to protect cultural heritage from the foreseeable effects of conflict and to train their heritage staff and armed forces, and obligates armed forces to mitigate the effects of military operations when fighting. Equally important, it insists that States make sure the principles of the Convention are widely known.
The High Contracting Parties undertake, in time of peace as in time of armed conflict, to disseminate the text of the present Convention and the Regulations for its execution as widely as possible in their respective countries. They undertake, in particular, to include the study thereof in their programmes of military and, if possible, civilian training, so that its principles are made known to the whole population, especially the armed forces and personnel engaged in the protection of cultural property.
Most know the 1954 Hague Convention as a conflict-focussed treaty; very few are aware of the peacetime provisions (and they are rarely implemented). Blue Shield work tirelessly to advocate for the importance of these obligations – if we don’t prepare in peace, we cannot protect heritage in conflict.
President Stone was delighted to attend the British Library’s conference Timeless Archives, Timely Connections: Preserving Endangered Documentary Heritage and Inspiring Collaboration, on 31 October – 1 November 2024, organised to celebrate 20 years of their ‘Endangered Archives Programme’. The international conference highlighted the Programme’s achievements and explored common themes and topics crucial to safeguarding documentary heritage and cultural legacy.
As ever, my contribution emphasised that the 1954 Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict is a peacetime instrument. Leaving cultural property protection to when a conflict is imminent, or worse has begun, is too late to deliver effective, structured, joined-up protection. To leave it too late is to accept that a significant amount of heritage will be lost – unnecessarily.
President Stone also highlighted the vital work of the Endangered Archives Programme, which has provided support to dozens of threatened archives around the world since its founding.
With the help of its long-term major funder, Arcadia, the ‘Endangered Archives Programme’ has been a beacon in good preparation and protection although numerous speakers highlighted serious challenges to the work and that there is just so much more to do… Archives are not just windows through which to view the past, but critical tools in combating the negative impacts of contemporary conflicts, and provocative stimuli for considering the future.
Posters highlighting some of the excellent work around the world were shared as part of the conference and are available on the conference website, and recordings of the event will also be available shortly on the conference website.
From his advocacy to heritage professionals in London, President Stone went (almost) straight to Wroclaw, Poland, to speak to armed forces at the conference “Cultural Property Protection in Military Operations”, from 5-7 November, organised by the Polish ‘International Centre for Training and Research on Cultural Heritage in Danger’. The event aimed to enhance knowledge on current challenges in cultural property protection, as well as the roles and responsibilities of NATO, EU, and non-military actors including governments, IOs and NGOs.
President Stone spoke on the work of the Blue Shield and how it can support armed forces in meeting their obligations under the 1954 Hague Convention, giving examples of Blue Shield’s military training. We believe that soldiers should not be faced with their cultural protection obligations for the first time on the battlefield. Cultural property protection is a complex issue, requiring careful consideration and practice in peacetime to understand all the ways military activity might affect cultural heritage, and how to best act to protect it whilst achieving the mission.
The High Contracting Parties undertake to introduce in time of peace into their military regulations or instructions such provisions as may ensure observance of the present Convention, and to foster in the members of their armed forces a spirit of respect for the culture and cultural property of all peoples.
Read more about our military training
Read more about the 1954 Hague Convention in our Law Library or in this brochure
