History of Blue Shield International in Timeline

The Blue Shield is an international organization established in 1996 dedicated to safeguarding global cultural heritage from threats like armed conflicts and natural disasters. Envisioned as the "cultural equivalent of the Red Cross," its name is derived from the blue shield symbol created by Jan Zachwatowicz. This emblem marks cultural sites protected under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in Armed Conflict, signifying the organization's core mission of preserving cultural treasures worldwide.

1946: Founding of UNESCO

In 1946, following the Second World War, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was founded to promote peace, development, and dialogue through cultural exchange and preservation.

1954: Emblem of the 1954 Hague Convention

ICBS adopted the emblem of the 1954 Hague Convention that designates cultural property that should be protected, and for identification of those working to protect it – the blue shield.

1954: Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in Armed Conflict

In 1954, the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in Armed Conflict used the blue shield symbol designed by Jan Zachwatowicz to signify protected cultural sites.

1954: Roots and focus on the Hague Convention

The Blue Shield logo is the royal blue shield emblem of the 1954 Hague Convention, set within a mid-blue circle, symbolising both Blue Shield's roots and focus on the Hague Convention and armed conflict, and the wider remit it encompasses today.

1954: Reference to the Hague Convention

The text mentions the 1954 Hague Convention as a foundational document related to the protection of heritage in conflict.

1954: 1954 Hague Convention

The work of the Blue Shield is underpinned by international law – in particular, the 1954 Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its two Protocols of 1954 and 1999.

August 1956: Hague Convention enters into force

In August 1956, the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict went into effect, obligating states parties to protect cultural property during both peacetime and war.

1996: Founding of the Blue Shield

In 1996, the Blue Shield, originally named the International Committee of the Blue Shield, was established as an international organization. Its primary goal was to safeguard global cultural heritage from threats like armed conflicts and natural disasters, serving as the "cultural equivalent of the Red Cross".

1996: Establishment of the International Committee of the Blue Shield

In 1996, the International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS) was established by four major non-governmental heritage organizations representing professionals in archives, libraries, monuments, sites, and museums.

1999: Second Protocol of the 1954 Hague Convention

In 1999, Article 27.3 of the 1954 Hague Convention Second Protocol explicitly mentioned the International Committee of the Blue Shield as an advisory body to the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

2000: Formation of national committees

By the year 2000, national committees had started to form with the goal of protecting cultural heritage within their respective countries.

2005: CCAAA joins ICBS

In 2005, the Co-ordinating Council of Audiovisual Archives Associations (CCAAA) joined the International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS).

2006: Conference at the Hague and the Hague Accord

In 2006, a conference titled 'Towards Solid Organisation: Infrastructure and Awareness' was held at the Hague in the Netherlands, attended by national committees and the ICBS. The Hague Accord was written, establishing the Association of National Committees of the Blue Shield (ANCBS).

2008: Habsburg Chaired the organisation since 2008

Habsburg Chaired the organisation since 2008 initially as President of ANCBS.

2008: Formal existence of ANCBS and appointment of Karl von Habsburg

In 2008, the Association of National Committees of the Blue Shield (ANCBS) came into formal existence, and Karl von Habsburg was appointed as its first President.

2009: Julien Anfruns becomes President of ICBS

In 2009, Julien Anfruns became the President of the International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS).

2012: CCAAA leaves ICBS

In 2012, the Co-ordinating Council of Audiovisual Archives Associations (CCAAA) left the International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS).

2013: End of Julien Anfruns' presidency

In 2013, Julien Anfruns' term as President of the International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS) ended.

2016: ICBS and ANCBS amalgamation

In 2016, the International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS) and the Association of National Committees of the Blue Shield (ANCBS) merged to become "The Blue Shield," amending the ANCBS statutes and registering as an Association in the Netherlands.

2016: Blue Shield Statutes

The key goals of the Blue Shield are laid out in Article 2 of the Blue Shield Statutes 2016.

October 2017: UNESCO and Blue Shield International cooperation

In October 2017, Irina Bokova, the Director General of UNESCO, stated that UNESCO and Blue Shield International share a common goal to protect cultural property and humanity's cultural legacy.

2017: Karl von Habsburg appointed as the first President

At the 2017 General Assembly, Karl von Habsburg was appointed as the first President of the Blue Shield, and Peter Stone was appointed as the vice-president.

2017: Newcastle University funds Secretariat

In 2017, Newcastle University provided funding for the first full-time Secretariat for the Blue Shield, with Dr. Emma Cunliffe as a full-time staff member.

2017: Statutes formally approved

In 2017, the statutes of the newly merged "The Blue Shield" were formally approved by the Blue Shield General Assembly in Vienna.

2017: Training for armed forces

In 2017-2018, Blue Shield contributed to training for national armed forces in Georgia, peacekeeping forces deployed by Fiji, and ran exercises at an international workshop in Austria.

2017: Adoption of the Four Tier Approach

The Blue Shield formally adopted the Four Tier Approach to the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict at its 2017 General Assembly.

2018: Training for armed forces

In 2017-2018, Blue Shield contributed to training for national armed forces in Georgia, peacekeeping forces deployed by Fiji, and ran exercises at an international workshop in Austria.

2018: New logo formally adopted

In 2018, a new logo was formally adopted by the Blue Shield International Board.

December 2019: Dr. Paul Fox stepped down

In December 2019, Dr. Paul Fox stepped down and was replaced by Dr. Michael Delacruz.

2019: Blue Helmet Forum 2019

In 2019, the "Blue Helmet Forum 2019" brought together 40 lecturers and participants from various countries to discuss the protection of cultural heritage during military peace operations, including experiences from the US Army, operational experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the establishment of an Italian cultural property unit.

August 2020: Peter Stone replaces Karl von Habsburg

In August 2020, Karl von Habsburg stepped down as Chair of the Blue Shield, having led the organization since 2008. He was replaced by Peter Stone at the August 2020 General Assembly.

2020: Project to protect cultural property in Beirut

In 2020, Blue Shield International, UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, and the Lebanese armed forces collaborated on a month-long project to secure and protect cultural property damaged after the August 4th explosions in Beirut.