10 YEARS OF Austrian Cultural Heritage Protection Panel

On 8 March 2024, the next meeting of the Austrian Cultural Heritage Protection Panel took place and celebrated the 10th anniversary of the panel.

Following a festive reception in the foyer of the Federal Criminal Police Office, the Cultural Property Protection Panel met again for the first time after a break of several months. Some established experts who had enriched the panel over the years had retired in the meantime, and new members and/or successors were welcomed. After a brief round of introductions for the newcomers, Executive Vice President of Blue Shield Austria, Friedrich Schipper, recognized the ‘good transition’ of staff departures and arrivals, recalled what had been achieved so far and encouraged the panel members to think about new opportunities and perspectives.

The meeting was characterized by constructive discussions and a clear consensus on the continuation and development of the work. It marks an important step for the panel's future and the beginning of a promising anniversary year of the 1954 Hague Convention.