Image courtesy of UNESCO.
Fundamentals of Combating Illicit Trafficking of Antiquities with a Focus on Central Asia
Thursday, March 7, 2024 – Monday, May 6, 2024
11:00 am – 12:00 pm EST/GMT-5 Online Event
Stephane Ipert, instructor at American University of Afghanistan, invites the public to observe seven meetings of his OSUN Online Course on "Fundamentals of Combating the Illicit Circulation and Trafficking of Antiquities with a Focus on Central Asia."
The course meets on Mondays and Thursdays during March, April, and May at 11 AM New York l 5 PM Vienna.
Please check times for your local time zone.
The public may be interested in the course as it focuses on the protection of human rights and cultures, the harmonization of the international rule of law, and combating international crime gangs.
Prominent leaders in international organizations will share their insights, providing students valuable connections to stakeholders in the field. Addtional observers can enrich their understanding and awareness of this complex and critical issue.
Course description:
It is crucial to understand the illegal networks facilitating the trafficking of antiquities and old manuscripts. Equally important is a comprehensive grasp of the legal frameworks, including national laws and international conventions, on this topic. The course will spotlight the roles of law enforcement agencies and professional organizations. Special focus will be given to studying the provenance of collections in western museums to trace both historical and recent illicit circulations and acquisitions, crucial for the restitution process.
Remaining class meetings:
Thursday, 4/4 Role of ALIPH in the protection of heritage.
Guest speaker: BASTIEN VAROUTSIKOS, Director of Strategic Development, International alliance for protection of heritage in conflict areas, ALIPH.
Monday, 4/8 Heritage and combatting trafficking in Russia (Tatarstan) and post conflict rehabilitation of heritage in Afghanistan.
Guest speaker: MOUNIR BOUCHNAKI, special adviser of UNESCO Director-General and adviser for Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage.
Thursday, 4/18 Restitutions of cultural properties and the UNIDROIT convention 1995.
Guest speaker: MARINA SCHNEIDER, Principal Legal Officer and Treaty Depositary UNIDROIT.
Monday, 4/22 Protection of heritage and combating of trafficking in Central Asia.
Guest speaker: LAURA TEDESCO, Cultural Heritage Program Manager at U.S. Department of State
Monday, 5/6 Ethical and postcolonial restitutions.
Guest speaker: ALEXANDER HERMAN, director of Institute of Art Law Institute.