Recent awareness-raising initiatives by States Parties to the 1970 Convention
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This webpage compiles information shared by States Parties to the 1970 Convention. The designations employed and the presentation of the material on this website do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views and opinions expressed on the webpage are those of the States Parties and do not necessarily represent the views of UNESCO .
Alongside UNESCO鈥檚 efforts in raising awareness, States Parties to the 1970 Convention have shared information on their initiatives aimed at sensitizing the public about the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property. These initiatives encompass communication campaigns, TV or radio programmes, webinars, conferences and publications. By engaging in these activities, States Parties are actively fostering public awareness and understanding about the need to protect movable cultural heritage.
Cambodia
Since 2017, 26 billboard installations have been placed across selected provinces, highlighting the challenges of illegal theft, exploitation and trafficking of cultural property.
These installations are focused on:
- Together we prevent trafficking, destruction and illegal excavation of artifacts.
- Together, protecting national cultural heritage: stealing, trafficking and illegally excavating artifacts are crimes.
China
Webpage with online exhibitions and material for the International Day against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property
- Webpage 2023:
- Webpage 2022:
- Webpage 2021 :
Germany
A special website has been launched (available at ) designed to inform public and private sector actors on the regulations in this field. This internet portal provides a variety of detailed information such as a description of the tasks and objectives of the protection of cultural property in Germany, the national and international legal situation in this area as well as forms and guidelines for supporting administrative procedures. Since November 2020, the main content of the website is also available in English.
Greece
- The exhibition 鈥淪tolen Past - Lost Future鈥 is available in digital format, featuring narration in English, German and Greek (). Additionally, a bilingual catalogue containing the exhibition鈥檚 texts in English and Greek has also been published.
- Educational programmes are being conducted with the assistance of a mobile cultural unit titled 鈥淪tolen Antiquities - People without Memory鈥, providing printed material for students and teachers, along with audiovisual content such as a 3-minutes video animation:
Japan
A pamphlet titled "Mechanism for the Protection of the World Cultural Properties" has been published annually since 2010 and distributed to 4 international airports and 39 customs offices in Japan.
Lithuania
A series of public lectures titled 鈥淲ho Owns an Archaeological Find?鈥 were held from June to November 2023. These lectures were dedicated to the 1970 Convention, explaining the legislative framework and strategies for preventing illicit trafficking of cultural property. Additionally, the lectures covered topics such as restitution practices worldwide, international cooperation, regulations on the export of movable cultural heritage and antiques, and the requirements for the use of metal detectors. The records of the lectures are available here:
Netherlands
A video campaign titled 鈥淏uying Art with Knowledge鈥 consisting of a series of 5 episodes was launched. The campaign aims to educate the general public about the importance of respecting legally protected cultural heritage and offers guidance on the 鈥渄o鈥檚 and dont鈥檚 鈥 of buying and selling cultural objects.
Slovenia
A permanent section dedicated to cultural heritage has been established on the TV web portal, featuring regular content on illegal trafficking. You can access the section on cultural heritage through the following link:
Sweden
4 podcasts episodes are available in the series 鈥淚nside the box鈥.&苍产蝉辫;Episode 1: ; Episode 2: ; Episode 3: ; Episode 4:
罢眉谤办颈测别
- A children鈥檚 book titled 鈥楧id Someone Say Archaeologist?鈥 has been created to introduce children to terms like cultural heritage, archaeologist, archaeology, and scientific excavation in an engaging manner. The book also aims to help children understand the importance of cultural heritage, the damages caused by its illicit trafficking in 罢眉谤办颈测别, and the efforts made to return cultural property smuggled abroad. Link:
- A shadow play titled "Karag枚z-Cultural Heritage: Shameless Rogue Thief", has been developed to address the theme of preventing cultural heritage trafficking. The unique script empathizes the importance of preserving our cultural heritage and explores the criminal dimensions of illegal excavations and cultural property trafficking. Link:
- A website designed for children and educators features colourful designs, animated videos, and various games, providing a centralized platform for accessing information related to cultural heritage. The engaging narrative style and practical activities aim to facilitate effective knowledge transfer to students both online and in the classroom. Link:
- A comic book project titled "Artemis's Journey" focuses on the process of repatriating an artwork located abroad, titled. Both Turkish and English versions of the comic book are available:
- Four videos have been created to emphasize that cultural heritage trafficking is a form of theft and causing harm to cultural assets is a criminal offense. Link:
- Information cards for the prevention of cultural heritage trafficking provide concise answers to various questions such as "Why should we protect our cultural heritage? What should be done when cultural heritage is found? What is the penalty for cultural heritage trafficking?" Link:
- Posters containing messages aimed at informing the public about preventing cultural heritage trafficking and increasing awareness have been prepared. Link: