International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS)
Presentation
1. What is ICBS?
The Blue Shield is the symbol specified in the 1954 Hague Convention
(http://www.unesco.org/culture/laws/hague/html_eng/page1.shtml ) 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 International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS) (http://www.ifla.org/VI/4/admin/protect.htm)
covers museums, archives, libraries, and monuments and sites. It brings together the knowledge,
experience and international networks of the four expert organisations dealing with cultural
heritage: ICOM (the International Council of Museums), ICOMOS (the International Council of
Monuments and Sites) ICA (the International Council on Archives) and IFLA (the International
Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) an unrivalled body of expertise which is now
available to advise and assist in responding to events such as war in former Yugoslavia and
hurricane damage in Central America. ICBS is international, independent and professional.
The current President of ICBS is Mr Joan van Albada
C/o The International Council on Archives / Conseil international des archives
60, rue des Francs-Bourgeois
75003 PARIS
France
Tel. +(33)(1)40276306
Fax: +(33)(1)42722065
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
2. How to get Information?
ICBS’s web site is hosted by IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and
Institutions).
Web site: http://www.ifla.org/blueshield.htm
You can also get information on ICOM’s web site: http://icom.museum/emergency.html
3. Existing National Committees with Updated Contacts
There are currently 11 National Blue Shield Committees in the following countries:
BELGIUM
Mrs. Christiane Logie
E-mail: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]
BENIN
M. Théodore Aglassa
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
CZECH REPUBLIC
Mrs Jana Souchova
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
FRANCE
Mr Daniel Lefevre President CFBB
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
ITALY
Mr Daniele Jallà, SBI President
E-mail: [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]
MACEDONIA, FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF
Prof. Dr Krste Bogoeski
E-mail: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]
MADAGASCAR
Mr Jean-Aimé Rakotoarisoa, Secretary General
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
NETHERLANDS
Ms Marie-Christine van der Sman
E-mail: [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]
NORWAY
Mr Leif Pareli
E-mail: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]
POLAND
Mr Dariusz Drewniacki
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
UNITED KINGDOM and IRELAND
Mrs Vanessa Marshall
E-mail: [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]
There are currently some National Committees under construction such as in Austria, Mexico, Canada,
Australia, Peru, and other.
For further information on how to create a Blue Shield national Committee, please contact at ICOM
Secretariat:
Cristina Menegazzi
Programme Specialist
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
And the National Blue Shield Committee Coordinator/Reference Person:
Mr David Leitch
United Kingdom and Ireland Blue Shield Organisation (UKIRB)
E-mail: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]
4. How to create a National Committee?
Requirements for National Committees of the Blue Shield
The following requirements to be met by national initiatives that wish to seek recognition as
national Blue Shield committees.
Initiatives for establishing a national committee of the Blue Shield should fully recognise the ICBS
Charter as adopted by ICBS in Strasbourg, 14 April 2000:
* In order to protect endangered cultural heritage, the International Committee of the Blue
Shield has been created in 1996 by the four non-governmental organisations, which represent
professionals active in the fields of archives, libraries, monuments and sites, and museums.
* In the framework of the Hague Convention (1954) for the protection of cultural property in
the event of armed conflict, ICA (International Council on Archives), ICOM (International Council of
Museums), ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites), and IFLA (International Federation
of Library Associations and Institutions) have taken up the emblem of the Convention as symbol of
the International Committee of the Blue Shield.
* The four organisations have decided to work together to prepare for, and respond to,
emergency situations in case of armed conflict or natural disaster that could affect cultural
heritage.
They respect the following principles:
— joint actions
— independence
— neutrality
— professionalism
— respect of cultural identity
— work on a not-for-profit basis.
Initiatives for establishing a national committee of the Blue Shield should have the support of the
national representatives of all four non-governmental organisations listed above, which together
form the ICBS. In case of doubt, the bureaux of the four non-governmental organisations will decide
on the respective representational claims.
An appropriate representative of initiatives to establish a national committee of the Blue Shield
should inform the ICBS of the membership, contact addresses, meeting schedules and agendas and
relevant national events of the proposed national committee.
An appropriate person or organisation on behalf of initiatives to establish a national committee of
the Blue Shield may request the ICBS to grant official recognition. The ICBS has the sole right to
decide whether to accord such recognition.
Approved by the International Committee of the Blue Shield at its meeting in Paris, 8th June 2001.
Cristina Menegazzi
Programme Specialist
ICOM International Council of Museums
Unesco House
1, rue Miollis
75732 Paris Cedex 15 - France
Ph. +33 (0)1 47349159
Fax +33 (0)1 43067862
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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