When people hear the term cultural heritage, they often think of art (such as paintings or sculptures), historical monuments and buildings, or even archaeological sites. In fact, however, cultural heritage is much more than that. It is the whole set of objects, places, and even stories or beliefs that together represent a culture. This “heritage” is important for the identity of a community that shares values and traditions, and it must be protected and passed on to future generations.
The definition of heritage is complex and influenced by historically changing value systems, which result in different categories for cultural and natural heritage. The selection of which objects, monuments, and natural surroundings are preserved sets the future trajectory of a heritage and defines cultural narratives and societal consensus. The protection of cultural heritage also creates a sense of identity in the community, and connecting to and participating in traditional activities around heritage objects creates a strong bond with them.
It is no wonder that when cultural heritage is threatened, the community feels a loss of belonging. The good news is that, by understanding the importance of protecting heritage and taking action to do so, a community can preserve its cultural heritage.
There are many challenges to preserving cultural heritage. Some are financial, such as a lack of funds to maintain or restore heritage. Others are environmental, such as the impact of climate change on historic neighborhoods and sites. Still others are caused by conflict and armed violence, which can lead to the destruction of heritage buildings or the looting of artifacts.
Moreover, cultural heritage is an international resource that transcends national borders and requires international cooperation to protect it. This means that protecting heritage in times of crisis, such as disasters or war, is a difficult task, and the need for coordination between international organizations is urgent.
In addition to the financial and logistical challenges of preserving heritage in areas affected by conflict, there are ethical concerns related to granting access to heritage to non-state actors that may be hostile to it. Ultimately, preservation of cultural heritage in conflict zones depends on building trust between the international community and non-state armed groups, which is not easy given their track record and rhetoric.
Although preserving cultural heritage in times of conflict is a daunting task, it can be achieved by creating partnerships between organizations and individuals who are committed to protecting the heritage of their communities. In Ethiopia, for example, the government and UNESCO have developed a joint work plan for inventorying and safeguarding both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. By providing funding for these partnerships and promoting awareness of the importance of protecting cultural heritage, we can ensure that it is protected and accessible for future generations.