 On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, and in light of the rapidly changing geopolitical situation and the challenges posed by climate change, the handling of cultural property in times of crisis and exceptional circumstances has come increasingly into focus in recent years. A working group consisting of representatives from ICOM Austria, the Federal Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture, Media, and Sport (BMWKMS), the Federal Monuments Office (BDA), the Austrian Armed Forces (ÖBH), the Austrian National Commission for UNESCO (ÖUK), and the Austrian National Committee of Blue Shield, has therefore published “Emergency Management in Museums and Cultural Heritage Institutions” to provide a guide to emergency management: What preparations are necessary to be able to act in an emergency? How do I create evacuation plans or prioritization lists for the evacuation of cultural property? How do prevention, drills, and follow-up work together?  The publication was presented to a distinguished audience of experts at an event held on 21 January 2026. Representatives from museums and cultural heritage institutions, as well as stakeholders in the field of cultural property protection, accepted the invitation. Sabine Haag, President of the Austrian National Commission for UNESCO, and Johanna Schwanberg, President of ICOM Austria, opened the event on behalf of the host organizations together with Section Head Theresia Niedermüller (Art and Culture Section at the BMWKMS), Lieutenant General Karl Schmidseder (Head of Directorate 3 at the BMLV), Christoph Bazil (President of the Federal Monuments Office), and Anna Puhr (Secretary General of Blue Shield Austria, in memory of Karl Habsburg). Following this, the project team (Elke Kellner, ICOM Austria; Florian Meixner, ÖUK; Hannah Leodolter, BMWKMS; Anna Puhr, Blue Shield Austria) presented the contents of the publication and provided insights into the project’s progress as well as the structure of the handbook. Access the publication here. ++ Photos: Bundesdenkmalamt, Bettina Neubauer-Pregl ++
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 On 9 December 2025, Secretary General Anna Puhr participated remotely in the ERRIN Cultural Heritage & Tourism Working Group meeting titled “Cultural Heritage in Times of Conflicts and Crisis – Role in Societal Resilience and Preparedness Strategies: Learnings from the EU and Ukraine,” held at the ERRIN Office in Brussels. The session focused on the role of cultural heritage as a driver of resilience, recovery, and social cohesion in times of crisis. Contributions from the European Commission and the European External Action Service addressed EU policies, preparedness strategies, and long-term resilience planning. Blue Shield Austria contributed through a presentation by Secretary General Anna Puhr, highlighting the organisation’s activities in crisis response and its efforts to integrate cultural heritage into broader security and resilience frameworks, particularly within national critical infrastructure systems.
It also highlighted the growing importance and potential of digital technologies for safeguarding cultural heritage, particularly in crisis and conflict situations.
Contributions come from a wide range of organisations and institutions, including national ministries of defence, armed forces from multiple countries, UNESCO, the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT), the European External Action Service, international NGOs, and EU advisory missions.
The publication provides valuable insights into current practices, challenges, and recommendations for enhancing the protection of cultural heritage in armed forces operations, serving as both a reference and a practical guide for professionals across sectors. Download the publication here.  On 24 and 25 September 2025, in her capacity as Blue Shield’s EU Representative for Digital Cultural Heritage, Second Secretary General Anna PUHR participated in a Cluster Meeting hosted by the European Commission in Brussels. This cluster event brought together policymakers, cultural heritage institutions, technology providers, researchers, and other sector representatives to showcase achievements from EU-funded projects and help shape the next phase of Europe’s digital transformation in cultural heritage.  The first day highlighted innovations in areas such as 3D digitisation, extended reality, and artificial intelligence for cultural heritage, and previewed the Data Space for Cultural Heritage: Strategy 2025-2030, which outlines priorities for infrastructure, data access and reuse, and digital transformation across the sector. Participants discussed the importance of interoperable standards, high-quality digital assets, and professional training to support sustainable data ecosystems for cultural heritage. On the second day, a meeting with international organisations and networks on digital cultural heritage took place, presenting recent developments and organisational priorities in the digital domain, as well as discussing opportunities for connection and collaboration with European data spaces. During the meeting, Anna PUHR presented the outcomes of a survey conducted among Blue Shield National Committees on “Digital & Cultural Heritage” that gathered insights on the use of digital tools, data needs, and related challenges across national contexts. The results contributed to positioning the Blue Shield perspective in discussions with the European Commission and international partners, ensuring that the needs and experiences of cultural heritage actors are considered in the development of future digital frameworks.
++ Photos: European Commission / private ++  To mark the 90th anniversary of the Roerich Pact, the German Roerich Society and the German Society for the Protection of Cultural Property hosted a joint event from 17–18 July 2025 at the University of Applied Sciences in Berlin.
On the second day, First Secretary General Leylya Strobl attended in her capacity within the Austrian Roerich Society and delivered a presentation titled “The Roerich Pact for Sustainable Development in the Field of Cultural Heritage Preservation.” During this celebratory event, the historical significance of the Roerich Pact, considered a groundbreaking international agreement for the protection of cultural heritage, was honoured. Experts from academia, politics, and practice highlighted not only the Pact’s role as a precursor to the 1954 Hague Convention but also its continued relevance for the protection of cultural property today, particularly in the context of growing global challenges. In addition to technical perspectives, the event also addressed the role of volunteerism in the protection of cultural property. Discussions explored how individuals can contribute through education, awareness-raising, civic engagement, and concrete initiatives in everyday life. The key message of the event was that the protection of cultural property concerns everyone and often begins with small, meaningful steps.  In 2025, a new Working Group on the Protection of Cultural Property within the Disaster Competence Network Austria (DCNA) was established by André Gazsó, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna; Andreas Obernosterer-Rupprecht, Emergency Network of Austrian Museums, Archives, and Libraries; Manfred Pinnegger, INSIRIMA GmbH; Anna Puhr, Austrian National Committee of the Blue Shield; Sabine Fauland, Austrian Museum Association, DCNA Working Group on the Protection of Cultural Property; and Christian Resch, Disaster Competence Network Austria. The goal of this working group, “DCNA KGS-KRITIS”, is to elevate the protection of Austria’s cultural heritage to the status of a sub- sector of Austria’s critical infrastructure. As part of this newly formed DCNA working group, a policy paper was drafted that highlights the importance of cultural heritage protection and also addresses other key aspects of safeguarding cultural heritage. One such aspect is the connection between cultural heritage protection and the resilience of communities in the event of crises and disasters. In this regard, the UNDRR states that populations that maintain strong ties to their homeland, a strong sense of identity, and an identification with their historically developed cultural heritage and associated traditions demonstrate significantly greater resilience and capacity to act in coping with crises and disasters than is the case with populations whose cultural heritage has been destroyed or significantly damaged. In addition, this working group – which includes not only Blue Shield Austria members but also other experts in the fields of cultural property protection, security, and risk management – addresses current issues related to emergency management for museums and cultural institutions, as well as the challenges associated with the digitization of art and cultural inventories. Participation in official expert committees is planned for 2026 to further advance the strategic goal of legally enshrining Austrian cultural property protection as a sub-sector of the Austrian CRITIS framework.  In a recent episode of the DCNA Austria podcast "Wissenschaft im Einsatz" ("Science in Action"), Anna Puhr, cultural scientist and Deputy Secretary General of Blue Shield Austria, was interviewed alongside Astrid Reisinger Coracini, legal expert from the University of Salzburg and the University of Vienna. The episode explored the protection of cultural heritage during disasters, discussing responsibilities, strategies, and the integration of cultural considerations into disaster management.
DCNA Austria (Disaster Competence Network Austria) is a national network dedicated to disaster preparedness, civil protection, and crisis management, connecting research, practitioners, and public institutions to strengthen resilience across Austrian society. In the podcast, Puhr emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration between cultural institutions, emergency services, and legal bodies to ensure effective protection of cultural property in crisis situations. She highlighted the role of civil society organizations, such as Blue Shield Austria, in providing expertise and facilitating coordination among stakeholders. The discussion also addressed the legal frameworks relevant in disaster scenarios, with Reisinger Coracini explaining the complexities of cultural heritage law and its application during emergencies. The conversation underscored the need for pre-disaster planning, training, and preparedness measures to enhance the resilience of cultural heritage sites. This episode contributes to the broader discourse on integrating cultural heritage protection into disaster risk management and demonstrates the collaborative efforts required to address this multifaceted challenge. The full podcast episode is available on the DCNA Austria website and can also be accessed via platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. On 25 June 2025, the General Assembly of Blue Shield Austria took place at the Palais Dorotheum, during which a new Board was elected to guide the organization’s activities in the coming years. Following the Assembly, a public evening event marked the 30th anniversary of the UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects. The event featured a distinguished panel, including:
The evening concluded with a reception, where participants continued discussions, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among cultural institutions, researchers, and policymakers to safeguard cultural heritage. 25/3/2025 Annual Meeting of the Austrian Emergency Association of Museums and Libraries 2025Read Now
The discussions highlighted that in times of emergency, coordination among many different actors—from cultural institutions and public authorities to civil society organisations—is crucial, and can only succeed with a strong community. 11/11/2024 CONFERENCE “CULTURAL PROPERTY PROTECTION IN THE 21ST CENTURY: MEETING REQUIREMENTS ACROSS THE FORCES” in ViennaRead Now From 11 to 13 November 2024, the international conference “Cultural Property Protection in the 21st Century: Meeting Requirements across the Forces” took place at the National Defence Academy in Vienna. The event brought together 100 civilian and military experts from numerous countries to focus on the importance of Cultural Property Protection, especially for armed forces. The conference was opened by Lieutenant General Erich Csitkovits and Defence Secretary General Dr. Arnold Kammel. Federal Minister of Defence Klaudia Tanner and UNESCO Deputy Director-General for Culture, Ernesto Ottone Ramírez, contributed opening words with video messages. The CPP Conference addressed key topics such as the high value of tangible and intangible heritage for societies and armed forces, the legal basis in the event of conflict, and the destruction of cultural property as a war strategy. Special attention was given to the training and implementation of Cultural Heritage Protection within the armed forces and in (civilian) military operations.
The international conference was held to mark the 70th anniversary of the 1954 “Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict” and as part of the official UNESCO anniversary activities. It was organised by the Austrian National Defence Academy with the support of UNESCO and in cooperation with the University for Continuing Education Krems, the Austrian Society for the Protection of Cultural Property, and Blue Shield Austria. ++ Photos: ÖBH ++
 From 23 to 27 September 2024, Deputy Secretary General Anna Puhr attended the ESDC Cultural Property Protection (CPP) Course, organized by the Center for Cultural Property Protection at the University for Continuing Education Krems. It brought together military, police, and civilian participants from across Europe to strengthen their knowledge and skills in the protection of cultural heritage during armed conflict and crises. Over five days, the course covered international legal frameworks, practical approaches, and best practices, with a strong focus on interagency cooperation and the integration of CPP into security and defence planning.  Anna Puhr also contributed to the course with a lecture on the role of civil society and non-governmental actors in cultural property protection, highlighting the importance of collaboration beyond state institutions. The course concluded with a hands-on scenario training, where participants applied their knowledge in a simulated crisis, reinforcing practical skills in cultural property protection under real-world conditions. All in all, the week conducted under the framework of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) once again demonstrated the relevance of CPP in today’s complex security environment. ++ Photos: Center for Cultural Property Protection ++
++ Photos: ÖBH; Anna Puhr ++
 On 2 July 2024, as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of the 1954 Hague Convention, Blue Shield Austria co-organized the symposium “Milestones & Ways to Go” at the Permanent Representation of Austria to the EU in Brussels. The event was held in collaboration with the German Society for Cultural Property Protection e.V., the Swiss Society for Cultural Property Protection, Blue Shield Germany, and the Fraunhofer Society, under the patronage of the Austrian Embassy to Belgium and with support from the Austrian Cultural Forum. Bringing together key stakeholders from across Europe, the symposium provided a platform to reflect on the achievements of the Hague Convention and to discuss future challenges in the protection of cultural heritage. The event was structured into two parts: an expert symposium in the afternoon and a public evening with a keynote speech and high-level roundtable discussion in the evening.
This was followed by presentations from Bastien Varoutsikos (ALIPH), Hans Ulrich Gössl (DG ECHO) and Giovanni De Siervo (PROCULTHER-NET). Karl Habsburg-Lothringen, President of Blue Shield Austria, provided insights into the founding principles of Blue Shield in Europe and the organization’s ongoing efforts to enhance international cooperation in this field.  The second part of the expert symposium focused on advancing the legal integration and operational implementation of the Hague Convention within EU policies. Through interdisciplinary dialogue, a set of “Seven Recommendations to the European Union” was developed focusing on integrating the 1954 Hague Convention and its Protocols into EU policy to strengthen the EU's global commitment to the protection of cultural heritage, align the protection of cultural heritage with EU policies to promote resilience and safeguard critical infrastructure that is essential for the preservation of cultural heritage.
The subsequent high-level roundtable brought together Emma Cunliffe, Senior Research Associate at the Newcastle University & Secretariat of Blue Shield International, Sanne Letschert, Director of Cultural Emergency Response (CER), Alfio Gullotta, Cultural Heritage Policy Officer at the European, External Action Service (EEAS) and Manfred Pinnegger, Security / Risk Manager for Cultural Institutions and Austrian Contingent Commander in the EUAM Ukraine Mission (2021-2023). Bijan Rouhani, Senior Researcher at the Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa (EAMENA) project at the University of Oxford, moderated the discussion. ++ Photos: Lucinde Wahlen ++
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