The US Committee of the Blue Shield at Twenty

Two Decades of Protecting Cultural Heritage in Peril

September 17, 2026       |        American University       |        Washington D.C.

September 17, 2026

American University

Washington D.C.

Ceremonial Classroom – NT01, American University Washington College of Law, 4300 Nebraska Avenue, Washington D.C.

Marking Twenty Years

USCBS and American University’s Washington College of Law are pleased to announce a one-day conference titled, “The U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield at Twenty: Two Decades of Protecting Cultural Heritage in Peril.” As the U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield celebrates twenty years since its founding, this conference will bring together experts in the field of cultural property protection for a day of discourse, engagement, and future planning.

Conference Program & Details

  • 9:00 – 9:15 AM – Registration and Coffee

  • 9:15 – 9:20 AM – Welcome

  • 9:20 – 10:30 AM – Session 1: Annual Update from Around the World
    Moderator: James Reap
    Ali H. Nour (Sudan) · Joanne Farchakh Bajjaly (Lebanon) · Bijan Rouhani (Iran) · Milena Chorna (Ukraine)

  • 10:30 – 10:45 AM – Break

  • 10:45 – 12:00 PM – Session 2: The Use of Technology in Documenting Cultural Heritage Destruction
    Moderators: Dr. Laurie Rush and Nancy Weiss
    Mehrnoush Soroush (University of Chicago) · Katharyn Hanson (Museum Conservation Institute-Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative) · Ihor Poshyvailo (National Museum of the Revolution of Dignity, Ukraine) · Timothy Varley (USCBS Board)

  • 12:00 – 12:30 PM – Response: Accountability under International Law for Destruction of Cultural Heritage
    Moderator: Jane Levine
    Anne-Marie Carstens (University of Baltimore)

  • 12:30 – 1:45 PM – Lunch Break

  • 1:45 – 2:00 PM – Signing of MOU between USCBS and ASOR
    Dr. Jane DeRose Evans (ASOR President) · Dr. Patty Gerstenblith (USCBS President)

  • 2:00 – 2:45 PM– Session 3: Protecting Cultural Heritage in Crisis: Twenty Years and Beyond. A Conversation with Dr. Richard Kurin (Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large at the Smithsonian Institution) and Cori Wegener (Founder of USCBS and Current Board Member)

  • 2:45 – 4:00 PM – Session 4: Protecting US Domestic Heritage
    Moderators: Cori Wegener and Emilie Leumas
    Stacy Bowe (Museum Conservation Institute-Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative) · Christina Cain (American Institute for Conservation) · Nana Kaneko (FEMA Heritage Emergency National Task Force) · Seth Tinkham (Dept. of Interior) · Jennifer Wellock (Dept. of Interior)

  • 4:00 – 4:15 PM – Closing Remarks

  • 4:15 – 6:00 PM – Closing Reception

Quick Facts

  • Thursday, September 17, 2006

  • 9:00AM – 6:00PM ET

  • Ceremonial Classroom – NT01
    American University
    Washington College of Law
    4300 Nebraska Avenue, Washington D.C.

  • Format: In-Person and virtual registration available online

  • CLE: Available for in-person attendees only. Contact Tahniat Saulat at tsaulat@wcl.american.edu

Thank You to Our Partners

american university college of law logo
depaul university college of law logo
covington logo

Register Today

Register to join USCBS and American University for a day of discourse on protecting cultural heritage.