In commemoration of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, the International Council on Archives (ICA), the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) have published a statement expressing their profound concern about the escalating destruction of life and cultural heritage during armed conflict and political instability in today’s world. Their statement can be accessed here.
ICA, ICOM, ICOMOS, and IFLA were the Founding Four organizations of the Blue Shield. They continue to be involved with the Blue Shield’s administration, with a representative from each organization serving on the International Board.
Latest News & Alerts
June 3, 2026
Following the severe storms and flooding in Central Texas in July 2025, the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute-Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (MCI-SCRI), with the Cultural Heritage Monitoring Lab at the Virginia Museum of Natural History (CHML) and [...]
June 2, 2026
In partnership with the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute-Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (MCI-SCRI) and with the support of the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund, Cultural Emergency Response (CER) launched their “Supporting Heritage at Risk” manual. It encompasses [...]
May 27, 2026
The U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield was saddened to learn of the severe damage to and destruction of cultural property and institutions in Kyiv following Russia's recent missile strikes. The Art Newspaper reported on the [...]
