General Assembly of the Association of National Committees of the Blue Shield

The International Centre of the Roerichs delegation headed by prof. Alexey V. Postnikov, President of the ICR, took part in the General Assembly of the Association of National Committees of the Blue Shield. Heads of National Committees of the Blue Shield and representatives of such important international organizations as the International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS), ICOM, ICOMOS, and ICCROM participated in the event which was organized in Vienna and Wachau, Austria. The General Assembly opening took place in the prestigious Danube University Krems that also hosted the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Danube University and the Association of National Committees of the Blue Shield and the Austrian National Committee of the Blue Shield (ANCBS).

After the signing of the Memorandum Mr Jan Hladik, Acting Chief of the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Protection Treaties Section, delivered a greeting address on behalf of Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General, and Mr F. Bandarin, UNESCO Assistant Director General for Culture. Ambassador Dr. Martin Eichtinger, Chief of the Culture Section of the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, and Mr. Karl von Habsburg-Lothringen, ANCBS President, also delivered their greeting speeches before the participants of the event.

As usual, the General Assembly participants focused on the necessity to develop the most effective strategy for the protection of cultural and natural objects in case of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Mr Karl von Habsburg-Lothringen who was elected the ANCBS-president for the second term, spoke about the joint efforts of the National Committees of the Blue Shield from different countries for the preservation of cultural heritage. He emphasized that in spite of the financial difficulties caused by the financial crisis this work is progressing, and the Association network is continuing to expand, covering new countries and continents. Since all of these organizations possess a huge potential for development, the main task of the Association is to unite their efforts and experience, creating new possibilities for their effective interaction and developing.

Representatives of National Committees of Australia, Austria, France, Ireland, Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Great Britain, and the USA shared their experience in the field of organizing events for the preservation of cultural heritage. Reports were also delivered by the representatives of those countries which are currently creating their national committees. Prof. Alexey V. Postnikov, President of the ICR, delivered a report dedicated to the multifaceted activities of the International Centre of the Roerichs. One of the main directions of these activities is the popularisation of the Roerich Pact, the first-ever International Treaty for the protection of cultural heritage in the world. After the ICR presentation Mr Karl von Habsburg-Lothringen thanked Prof. Postnikov for the vivid and enthusiastic speech and expressed hope that the fruitful cooperation between the ICR and ANCBS will continue in the future.