What is the Blue Shield

Summary

The Blue Shield is an NGO dedicated to protecting cultural heritage during conflicts and disasters, emphasizing that safeguarding heritage is essential for community identity and resilience. Established under the 1954 Hague Convention, it collaborates with various organizations and armed forces to promote proactive cultural property protection. The Blue Shield identifies key risks such as neglect, military unawareness, and deliberate targeting of heritage, advocating for training and preparedness among military and heritage professionals. With ambitions to become the cultural equivalent of the Red Cross, the Blue Shield aims to enhance global commitment to cultural heritage preservation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Blue Shield organization focuses on protecting cultural heritage during armed conflicts and disasters, emphasizing that the protection of people takes precedence.
• 😀 Cultural heritage is intrinsically linked to individual and community identities, making its protection essential for societal stability.
• 😀 The Blue Shield operates under the framework of the 1954 Hague Convention, which aims to safeguard cultural property during armed conflict.
• 😀 The organization collaborates with various NGOs, national committees, and military forces to enhance cultural property protection efforts.
• 😀 Training for armed forces and heritage professionals is vital to ensure preparedness and effective responses to threats against cultural heritage.
• 😀 The Blue Shield emphasizes proactive measures and preparedness in cultural heritage protection, not just reactive responses during conflicts.
• 😀 Key risks to cultural heritage include lack of awareness among military forces, collateral damage, looting, and neglect during conflicts.
• 😀 The Blue Shield aspires to become the cultural equivalent of the Red Cross, advocating for the integration of cultural protection into military training and operations.
• 😀 National committees are crucial in implementing Blue Shield's mission, and there are currently 25 established around the world.
• 😀 The Blue Shield promotes the idea that cultural property protection is a responsibility for all stakeholders involved, including governments and military entities.

Q & A

What is the primary mission of the Blue Shield?

The Blue Shield is dedicated to protecting cultural heritage during armed conflicts and disasters, emphasizing that this protection is integral to the safety and identity of individuals and communities.

How does the Blue Shield view the relationship between heritage protection and human safety?

The Blue Shield prioritizes human safety above cultural property but argues that protecting cultural heritage is essential for protecting individuals and communities.

What historical figures are mentioned in the context of cultural heritage protection?

Heinrich Heine, who spoke about the link between burning books and the persecution of people, and Raphael Lemkin, who highlighted the importance of preventing cultural destruction to avoid further violence, are both referenced.

When was the Blue Shield established and what organizations contributed to its founding?

The Blue Shield was established in 1996 by four organizations: the International Council on Archives, the International Council of Museums, the International Federation of Library Associations, and the International Council on Monuments and Sites.

What are the key ethical principles upheld by the Blue Shield?

The Blue Shield upholds principles of joint action, independence, neutrality, professionalism, and respect for cultural identity in its operations.

What are some identified risks to cultural property during conflicts?

Risks include lack of planning for cultural property protection, military unawareness of heritage significance, collateral and deliberate damage, looting, and neglect during and after conflicts.

How does the Blue Shield facilitate training for armed forces and heritage professionals?

The Blue Shield promotes cultural property protection training that supports military planning and integrates heritage awareness into military operations and crisis response.

What are the future goals of the Blue Shield organization?

Future goals include establishing a central office, promoting the ratification of the 1954 Hague Convention by all states, and enhancing integrated approaches with uniformed services for better cultural property protection.

What role does the Blue Shield play in emergency response situations?

The Blue Shield coordinates with military and emergency responders to ensure cultural heritage is protected during natural disasters and conflicts, providing expertise and training.

How does the Blue Shield's approach to cultural heritage protection differ from that of the Red Cross?

Unlike the Red Cross, which is primarily focused on humanitarian aid, the Blue Shield focuses on cultural heritage protection and operates almost entirely with volunteers, with very few paid staff.