Specialized Course on Cultural Heritage, Crime and Security

online course

The protection of cultural heritage is a critical component within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda, as reported under Goal 11 through which countries have pledged to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” In particular, Target 11.4 of Goal 11 aims to “strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.”

On this point, the number of international crimes related to the looting and trafficking of cultural heritage property have significantly grown. Moreover, their links to international criminal activity, including the financing of terrorist groups, are becoming more evident year by year.

The deep concern of the United Nations on this matter is also demonstrated by the adoption in the past decades of diverse conventions reporting these phenomena as critical parts of the international crimes model. The year 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.

With these considerations in mind, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), in cooperation with the American University of Rome (AUR), is organizing the first edition of the Specialized Course on Cultural Heritage, Crime and Security - Protecting our Past to Invest in our Future which will be delivered online, from 14 to 18 December 2020.

The course will provide participants with a fundamental understanding of heritage crime and how heritage organisations, law enforcement bodies and judicial systems are responding to the issue. The course curriculum is likely to include the following topics:

- Protection of cultural property: the international legal framework
- Countering looting
- Understanding criminal trafficking networks
- Tourism security plans: the importance of the protection of cultural heritage
- Armed conflicts, peacebuilding and the protection of cultural heritage
- Protecting museums and heritage sites
- Heritage and stability policing
- Building communities and supporting development through cultural heritage

Course leader

United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), in cooperation with the American University of Rome (AUR)

Target group

The course is designed for university graduates in Law, Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Social Science and other relevant disciplines. It is also addressed to young professionals working in governmental institutions, local authorities, international and non-governmental organizations seeking to deepen their understanding of most salient issues faced by the international community in relation to cultural heritage, crime and security.

Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

- Hold a three-year university degree issued by an internationally recognized university in one of the aforementioned areas;
- Have a very good working knowledge of English.

Applications from students who expect to graduate at the end of the 2020/21 academic year will also be considered.

Course aim

The Specialized Course offers professional, legal, social, scientific and academic perspectives through live webinars, group discussions, dynamic case studies, individual readings, and practical exercises. The faculty is composed of leading scholars and academics from AUR and other universities, as well as international legal experts from the United Nations system, international and non-governmental organizations, and civil society.

Through a dedicated online platform, participants will have the opportunity to interact with internationally recognized experts and peers from all over the world, so to build lasting professional relationships. This experience fosters intercultural dialogue and promotes a deeper understanding of the most salient issues faced by the international community in relation to cultural heritage, crime and security.

Fee info

EUR 800: Standard applicants
- Application deadline: 6 December 2020.


Registration fees includes:

- Tuition
- Course material on electronic version
- Sessions recorded and made available for later viewing
EUR 700: Early bird applicants
- Application deadline: 25 October 2020.


Registration fees includes:

- Tuition
- Course material on electronic version
- Sessions recorded and made available for later viewing

Scholarships

Not available