Heritage and Reconstruction
As several cases of serious destruction have demonstrated, cultural heritage can become a prime target – for symbolic effect or owing to identity-related issues – of aggression and misunderstanding particularly, as regards intra-State conflicts.
In the last decade or so, UNESCO has played a leading and high-profile role internationally in coordinating complex operations to safeguard heritage damaged or threatened by conflicts, with the assistance of many different partners, both public and private.
The establishment of dialogue and development will be the pillars of the strategy, which will be aimed at highlighting the role of cultural heritage in preserving and rebuilding peace after civil strife or armed conflict. In cases where the cultural heritage has become a target on account of its identity value, UNESCO will endeavour to bring together the various warring parties and populations concerned to encourage them to resume inter-community dialogue through the reconstruction of their heritage.Back to top