The instrumentalisation of cultural heritage as a weapon of war and terror in currently ongoing conflicts highlights its direct links with ethnic and cultural cleansing. In response, the United Nations works to establish global standards for heritage protection to promote peace and security. This research project, carried out at the Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of Jyväskylä, investigates the critical role of cultural heritage protection during and after armed conflicts. It explores the institutional controversies involved in establishing international norms for heritage protection through the lens of the UN, and their practical implementation in the aftermath of the Yugoslav wars and the conflict in Mali. Utilising treaties, resolutions, archival resources, museum displays, and expert interviews, the project re-evaluates the significance of heritage protection in international cultural politics, and underscores its role in sustainable peace and stability.

2025

2029