Blue Shield Nederland
documents

Declaration of intent     See also: PDF version

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In order to protect cultural heritage against the threats of force of war and natural disasters the International Commitee of the Blue Shield (ICBS) was founded in 1996 by four non-governmental organisations which are active in the field of archives, libraries, museums, monuments and sites.

Within the framework of the 1954 Hague Convention ICA (International Council on Archives), IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions), ICOM (International Council on Museums) and ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) have adopted the symbol of the Convention in order to use it for the protection of cultural heritage.. The four ngo's have formed a cooperation to be prepared for and to be able to response in an adequate way on emergency situations in case of armed conflicts or natural disasters which form a threat for the cultural heritage

They accept the following principles:

  • cooperation
  • independence
  • professionalism
  • respect for cultural identity
  • working on a non-profit basis

The aim of the Blue Shield Committee of the Netherlands is to:

  1. Raise awareness of the public in general, the government and the heritage institutions for the need of the protection of cultural heritage in the broadest sense, and for the necessity of setting up detailed guidelines for the protection of this cultural heritage.
  2. Promotion of practical knowledge in case of preparation, assistance and the aftermath in case of all kinds of disasters.
  3. Creating the possibility to give advise and assistance in case of disasters.
  4. Promotion the principles of the 1954 Hague Convention to protect cultural heritage in case of armed conflicts and to emphasize the responsibility of the participating countries.
  5. Collecting and exchanging reliable information in connection with threats of the cultural heritage.

Blue Shield Nederland - in association with all organisations involved - focuses on:

A.

Protection of Dutch cultural heritage against the threats due to natural disasters, molest and military acts

B.

Arranging national and international help in case of natural disasters, molest and military acts.

The Committee aims at the realization of cooperation - seen from a national point of view - between the Dutch representatives of the four ngo's, the ICBS, the National UNESCO Committee, the Inspectie Cultuurbezit, the Netherlands Institute for Cultural Heritage (ICN) and the Rijksdienst voor Monumentenzorg (RMZ).

 

Thus signed in The Hague on Wednesday the 28th of June 2000,

On behalf of ICA, On behalf of IFLA
drs. J.T.J. Jamar, dr. W. van Drimmelen,
chair KVAN General Director KB
 
On behalf of ICOM, On behalf of ICOMOS,
ms. drs. M.C. van der Sman, prof. dr. ir. F.W. van Voorden,
chair ICOM Nederland chair ICOMOS Nederland

Initiative and aim of the Blue Shield Committee of the Netherlands are endorsed by the Nationale UNESCO Commissie.

On behalf of Nationale UNESCO Commissie: prof. dr. ir. F.W. van Voorden, member of the National UNESCO Committee.

 

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