The International Committee of the Blue Shield

Abstract

The Blue Shield is the cultural equivalent of the Red Cross. It is the symbol specified in the 1954 Hague Convention for marking cultural sites to give them protection from attack in the event of armed conflict. It is also the name of an international committee set up in 1996 to work to protect the world's cultural heritage threatened by wars and natural disasters. The Mission of the International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS) is to work for the protection of the world's cultural heritage by coordinating preparations to meet and respond to emergency situations. The ICBS covers museums and archives, historic sites and libraries. It brings together the knowledge, experience and international networks of the four expert organizations dealing with cultural heritage: the International Council on Archives (ICA), the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). More information can be found at www.ifla.org/blueshield.htm