On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, USCBS President, Patty Gerstenblith, will be speaking as part of a webinar organized by the International Association of Prosecutors in conjunction with Blue Shield International.
Webinar: Trafficking and Terrorism of Antiquities
Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 08:00 hrs EST / 14:00 hrs CET
Speakers:
Patty Gerstenblith, Distinguished Research Professor and Director of the Center for Art, Museum and Cultural Heritage Law, DePaul University College of Law; President of the U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield; Chair of the Blue Shield International Working Group on Countering Trafficking in Cultural Materials
Presentation: Background of Trafficking in Antiquities
Mark Carroll O.B.E., Criminal Justice Advisor, National Security Directorate, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; Chair, Blue Shield UK Illicit Trafficking Working Group; Director, International Justice Development
Presentation: Prosecuting Cultural Terrorism and its Trafficking: UK and beyond
Facilitator:
Shenaz Muzaffer, General Counsel, International Association of Prosecutors
The illicit trafficking in antiquities is a global problem that impacts on cultural heritage, economies and communities worldwide. Items are stolen, smuggled and sold across borders and through a complex network of actors, resulting in a significant cultural loss on those communities from which they are taken. In addition, the money gained from selling looted and stolen objects may be used to buy weapons, contribute to organised crime and terrorism, and prolong conflict. Blue Shield International’s Working Group on Countering Trafficking of Cultural Materials contributes to tackling the international trade in trafficking items of cultural heritage.
This webinar will provide an overview of trafficking in antiquities, examine some of the legal structures that exist to counter the trafficking in antiquities, and also consider challenges and best practice in prosecuting cultural terrorism and its trafficking.
The webinar will be held in English and no interpretation will be provided; however, attendees can access live automated translated captions via the Zoom platform during the webinar. All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance. Please note that this webinar will be recorded.
For more details, please contact Ms. Irina Beridze, Executive Programme Manager of the IAP, at epm@iap-association.org.
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