Thanks for a successful 2026 Annual Conference!

On Thursday, September 17, 2026, the U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield co-hosted its annual conference alongside American University Washington College of Law, welcoming conference attendees and 14 esteemed guest speakers at both WCL’s Congressional Hall and online via Zoom. “The U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield at Twenty: Two Decades of Protecting Cultural Heritage in Peril” marked 20 years since the founding of USCBS and the day celebrated this milestone anniversary; but it was also acknowledged that there is still a great deal of work to be done. Conference presentations discussed international cultural property affected by current conflicts, ways in which we can better protect cultural heritage domestically, and how technology is assisting with the documentation of cultural property worldwide. Participants left feeling motivated and inspired to make change and take action.

There is much still to be done to protect the cultural property that is so integral to the identities and well-beings of people around the world, but days like this conference renew our hope for the future. We are truly grateful to each of the guest speakers who shared their insights and experiences, to the engaged participants on the day, and to our members who support our mission throughout the year.

Thank you also to the sponsors of this conference: American University Washington College of Law’s Program on Information Justice & Intellectual Property, Covington & Burling LLP, and DePaul University’s College of Law.

Most of all, thank you to our conference partner, American University Washington College of Law for hosting this event and ensuring its success. Recordings of the conference sessions will be available on the AU WCL’s YouTube channel.

See you at next year’s conference!

Top Photo: Members of the current USCBS Board of Directors in attendance at the conference. Photo courtesy of American University Washington College of Law.

Katharyn Hanson, Head of Research at the Museum Conservation Institute-Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative, speaks during the session, “The Use of Technology in Documenting Cultural Heritage Destruction,” alongside panelists and moderators (left to right) Laurie Rush, Timothy Varley, and Nancy Weiss. Photo courtesy of American University Washington College of Law.

Jane Levine, USCBS Treasurer, introduces Anne-Marie Carstens, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Baltimore, before her response, “Accountability under International Law for Destruction of Cultural Heritage.” Photo courtesy of American University Washington College of Law.

Cori Wegener, past founding President of USCBS and current Board member, and Dr. Richard Kurin, Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large at the Smithsonian Institution, in conversation during “Protecting Cultural Heritage in Crisis: Twenty Years and Beyond.” Photo courtesy of Patty Gerstenblith.