Blog Archives

23/9/2024

ESDC-CPP COURSE AT THE UNIVERSITY FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION KREMS

Read Now

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 ++

0 Comments

9/9/2024

MILITARY CPP TRAINING COURSE AT THE NATIONAL DEFENCE ACADEMY

0 Comments

Read Now

From 9 to 13 September 2025, Deputy Secretary General Anna Puhr participated in the training course for Military Cultural Property Protection (CPP) officers and civilian experts at the Austrian National Defence Academy. The course focused on the destruction of cultural property as an element of psychological warfare, the legal framework with a particular focus on the 1954 Hague Convention, and civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) at the national level. A visit to the Federal Monuments Authority provided valuable insights into national heritage conservation and cultural property protection.

The programme featured contributions on UNESCO’s role in cultural property protection, the work of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in times of war—particularly in Ukraine—and by a lecture of Anna Puhr the role of national Blue Shield Committees in safeguarding cultural heritage in crisis situations.

A highlight of the course was the "CPP map exercise," which emphasized key aspects of CIMIC. It underscored the importance of cultural professionals understanding military responsibilities and limitations in crisis preparedness, the necessity for military CPP officers to be aware of relevant civilian actors in their area, and the overall significance of cultural property protection, even when it is not a primary military objective. The exercise also reinforced the need for joint training to establish a common understanding and effective collaboration. Austria has a long tradition in military cultural property protection, with the first CPP officers trained as early as 1976.

++ Photos: ÖBH; Anna Puhr ++

0 Comments