ROERICH PACT 90TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT

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.