News
UNESCO trains military personnel from the Baltic region in cultural property protection
Civil and military personnel from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania attended a workshop organized by UNESCO from 9 to 11 January 2024 in Estonia. The unique UNESCO modules, delivered by international experts, covered a range of subjects including the rules and innovative approaches to the protection of cultural property in the event of conflict The 23 participants also learned about the international legal obligations stipulated in the for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its two Protocols (1954 and 1999).
Today, as we witness a number of armed conflicts globally, including in Europe, we are reminded of the importance of the universal ratification and sound implementation of the Hague Convention
A field visit to St Nicholas Church in the Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn was organized, where participants learned about the evacuation of artworks during its bombardment 1944.
« As a civil servant working in cultural heritage, it was very useful to understand the military perspective of cultural property protection. This prism helps to plan civilian activities in the event of armed conflict. », said a training participant.
The workshop ended with a roundtable where experts and participants shared some good practices and legislative measures to safeguard cultural property in times of peace and the event of armed conflict.
The three-day training was held in partnership with the Ministry of Defense, the Defense Forces, and the Ministry of Culture of Estonia, as well as the Estonian National Heritage Board and the Estonian National Commission for UNESCO.
This workshop is one of the activities marking the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the 1954 Hague Convention. The Convention and its two Protocols (1954 and 1999) are comprehensive treaties devised to protect movable and immovable cultural heritage worldwide in times of peace, during and after armed conflict.
