BLUE SHIELD INTERNATIONAL (BSI)
Blue Shield International (BSI) is a neutral, non-governmental, independent, professional and non-profit organization whose mission is the protection of the world’s cultural property and is concerned with the protection of cultural and natural heritage, tangible and intangible, in the event of armed conflict, natural or human-made disaster. This organization was founded in April 1996 in Paris. The founders were:
• International Council of Museums (ICOM)
• International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
• International Council of Archives (ICA)
• International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
The primary context of the Blue Shield is the 1954 Hague Convention and its two Protocols of 1954 and 1999, which relate to preparations for the protection of cultural property before armed conflict, and actions during, and after, armed conflict. The Blue Shield is the cultural equivalent of the Red Cross and covers museums, libraries, archives, monuments and sites.
The International Blue Shield (BSI) exists to champion the importance of cultural heritage, raising awareness of its importance and that it should be given full consideration in line with its place in international law. The Blue Shield’s goals are:
• Protect cultural and natural heritage, tangible and intangible, from the effects of conflicts and environmental disaster;
• Promote the ratification of, respect for, and implementation of, the 1954 Hague Convention and its two Protocols;
• Raise awareness of the importance of protecting heritage in emergency situations;
• Promote and provide relevant training (to heritage professionals, the armed forces, other emergency responders and those involved in preventing illicit trafficking of looted objects);
• Promote community engagement with and participation in protecting cultural property;
• To encourage co-operation with, and between, other relevant entities involved in emergency situations.
• To act in an advisory capacity for the protection of endangered heritage; to consult and co-operate with other bodies including UNESCO, ICCROM and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).