UNESCO, Cultural Heritage and Conflict in Yemen, Syria and Iraq

This book examines UNESCO's ability to facilitate heritage protection measures before, during, and after conflicts. It uses document analysis to assess UNESCO's legal obligations and compares its presence and involvement in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. The study finds that UNESCO exhibits great inequity in engagement, often closing communications entirely with Syria due to political standpoints. Despite a stronger intent since 2015, UNESCO faces political and bureaucratic barriers to emergency action. To ensure heritage safeguarding is permitted during unrest, UNESCO should promote a people-centered approach to its initiatives, focusing on livelihoods and meaningful connections between populations and their local heritage.

Format: Hardback
Length: 269 pages
Publication date: 19 February 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This comprehensive book aims to assess UNESCO's capacity to facilitate heritage protection measures before, during, and after conflicts. Through a rigorous document analysis, it explores UNESCO's legal obligations in promoting cultural heritage protection in its Member States' territories during armed conflicts. The study also compares UNESCO's presence and involvement in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq, highlighting the challenges and complexities faced in these contexts.

The book meticulously maps shifts in UNESCO's communication with governments and civil authorities, allocation of financial, human, and material resources, and implementation of heritage safeguarding and reconstruction initiatives. Both quantitative and qualitative data reveal significant inequities in UNESCO's engagement, with instances of complete communication breakdowns with Syria due to political differences among UNESCO Member States. This political gridlock often leads to the organization overstating its capabilities to safeguard or restore heritage, with promises not being followed through with action.

Since 2015, UNESCO has expressed a stronger commitment to play a pivotal role in heritage protection during armed conflicts. However, as long as cultural heritage protection is not considered a humanitarian concern, UNESCO will continue to face significant political and bureaucratic barriers that hinder emergency action. To ensure heritage safeguarding is permitted during periods of significant unrest, regardless of political discord, UNESCO must promote a people-centered approach to its cultural heritage protection initiatives.

The book emphasizes the importance of inclusive and participatory approaches that involve local communities, stakeholders, and cultural heritage professionals in the preservation and restoration efforts. It also calls for enhanced coordination and collaboration among international organizations, governments, and civil society to address the complex challenges posed by conflicts and their impact on cultural heritage.

In conclusion, this book provides valuable insights into UNESCO's efforts to facilitate heritage protection measures and highlights the need for a more proactive and inclusive approach to ensure the long-term preservation and protection of cultural heritage in times of conflict.

Weight: 600g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031196744
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023