Working with international partners in times of conflict and crisis
IIC believes that conservation is of great value; by looking after our cultural heritage and our own and others’ cultural identity, we are helping to improve the richness and quality of life for everyone.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 27, states that 'the protection of culture is a human rights imperative'. Those who adhere to international humanitarian law, and other relevant international instruments, declarations and conventions, such as the 1954 Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, acknowledge that damage to cultural sites belonging to any people whatsoever means damage to the cultural heritage of all humankind.
UNESCO, created in 1946, is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It is a part of the United Nations. The General Conference of UNESCO adopted the Recommendation concerning the Protection at National Level, of the Cultural and Natural Heritage on 16 November 1972.
There are several international advisory bodies to UNESCO, such as ICCROM, IUCN and ICOMOS that support the protection of world heritage. IIC (itself founded from the ashes of war) is not a formal advisory body but liaises with a number of international partners who are well placed to provide direct support, including funding, to heritage and conservation professionals in times of conflict and disaster. These include:
- ALIPH Foundation - protecting heritage to build peace.
- Blue Shield International
- Cultural Emergency Response (CER) coordinates and supports locally and locally-led protection of cultural heritage under threat
- ICCROM - First Aid and Resilience Programme (FAR)
- ICOM - Emergency preparedness and response
Approach to communications and collaboration
IIC understands that many conservators and conservation professionals are working in volatile and increasingly political and hostile environments around the world - their safety is paramount. As such, IIC follows a "do no harm" approach, aligning with the humanitarian principles of "independence, neutrality, integrity and impartiality" in its communications, including social media, with respect to wars, conflicts and disasters. This is underpinned by our mission, values and responsibilities and is in line with our objectives as an international professional body and Learned Society.
We will continue to support international efforts that work to protect people and their heritage in such situations by disseminating, and where appropriate, where it does not duplicate but helps the efforts of others, work collaboratively to develop resources and programmes to assist conservators and conservation professionals in times of crisis.
Support for members
IIC tries to move fast and flexibly for its members, including those displaced or seeking refuge from war, conflict and disaster. Its stipends can be used to assist or co-fund scholarships and internship costs, as well as more practical support. The Opportunities Fund accepts applications at any time with a swift response where there is an urgent need. Read full details of how to apply or donate to the fund here.
If someone cannot afford IIC membership in order to apply for a grant, we will do all that we can to help applicants when they get in touch. Contact us to discuss at iic@iiconservation.org.