PROTECTING CULTURAL HERITAGE IN EMERGENCIES: THE “A SHIELD FOR CULTURE” ACTION LINE AND THE ITALIAN RED CROSS DISASTER RESPONSE UNIT

Organized by the Italian Red Cross

Michele Romeo Jasinski, National Focal Point for the campaign “The Future Has a Long History. Let’s Protect It”, Italian Red Cross; Andrea Marchi, Regional Technical Delegate for Emergency and Rescue Operations; Alessia Strozzi, Technical Secretariat, SBI. Moderated by Lorenzo Massucchielli, Head of the International Emergencies Unit, Italian Red Cross

The protection of cultural heritage during armed conflict is part of the broader context of safeguarding it as historical and cultural patrimony—not only at a local or national level, but as the heritage of all humanity, as recognized in relevant international treaties. At the core of the protective system established by International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is the Hague Convention of May 14, 1954, along with its Implementing Regulation, the additional Protocol of the same date, and a second Protocol adopted in 1999. This legal framework provides that a “cultural property” be marked with a uniform emblem established at the international level—though the absence of such an emblem does not justify violations of the IHL provisions protecting the property. This event aims to highlight the significant institutional activities carried out in recent years—under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, through a memorandum of understanding with the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI), and in collaboration with Blue Shield Italy (SBI). These efforts have been made possible thanks to close cooperation with local authorities and administrative bodies, and through the engagement of trained volunteers and staff. The expanding efforts in prevention and protection will strengthen Italy’s ability to fulfill its responsibility—both in times of peace and in the event of armed conflict.