Alhambra Palace - Granada
Alhambra Palace - Granada

The Second World War claimed more lives than any other war in history and obliterated a great deal of cultural property that defined the communities in which they were erected. This included many historic cities of Europe.

In its aftermath, the world needed a technical institution dedicated to preserving, protecting and restoring what humanity had destroyed. In response, UNESCO created ICCROM and chose Rome as its headquarters. As home to ICCROM and as a beneficiary of its earliest efforts, Europe is a region with which the organization has always had close ties, and which has also had an important role to play in the conservation sector.

Sixty years later, humanity is faced yet again with large-scale and catastrophic developments – mass displacement of people, entrenched conflict, harshening climate. All are challenging cultural heritage preservation. Europe is again in a positon to both benefit from and serve ICCROM’s efforts. This is not only because these demographic, political and climatic forces are playing out within or near its borders, but also because Europe is able – and therefore responsible – to play a more universal role in enacting change.

ICCROM is eager to engage with a Europe that leverages everything from its resources, to experience and diplomatic know-how to model inclusive and engaged societies. Europe can take the lead in truly integrating refugees who come in search of safety, embracing the cultures they bring and incorporating them into Europe’s own. Europe can show how caring for culture is caring for people as heritage congregates and generates cohesion, understanding and even economic opportunity. And when Europe extends this work beyond its borders, it can demonstrate how the returns on cultural diplomacy are more stable, inclusive and just nations – indeed, a better world.

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ICCROM and Fabbrica di San Pietro Forge New Alliance to Empower African Youth in Heritage Conservation

ICCROM and Fabbrica di San Pietro Forge New Alliance to Empower African Youth in Heritage Conservation

A transformative partnership to promote African talent, advance heritage conservation, and foster global knowledge exchange.

ICCROM and Fabbrica di San Pietro Forge New Alliance to Empower African Youth in Heritage Conservation

A transformative partnership to promote African talent, advance heritage conservation, and foster global knowledge exchange.

Italy and ICCROM Launch €6 Million Cultural Heritage Programme in Africa 

Italy and ICCROM Launch €6 Million Cultural Heritage Programme in Africa  

Italy and ICCROM Launch €6 Million Cultural Heritage Programme in Africa  

Agreement signed to empower a new generation of Africans with skills to conserve heritage and catalyze long-term development

ICCROM Launches In-Person Training in Riga to Safeguard Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis

ICCROM Launches In-Person Training in Riga to Safeguard Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis

Phase 2 of READY Track 01 brings together 25 participants from over 20 countries in Latvia for hands-on training to strengthen skills, coordination, and resilience in protecting cultural heritage from disasters, extreme weather, and armed conflicts.

ICCROM Launches In-Person Training in Riga to Safeguard Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis

Phase 2 of READY Track 01 brings together 25 participants from over 20 countries in Latvia for hands-on training to strengthen skills, coordination, and resilience in protecting cultural heritage from disasters, extreme weather, and armed conflicts.
ICCROM launches READY Track 1 Online Foundational Training

ICCROM launches READY Track 1 Online Foundational Training

We are living in an era of polycrisis—a convergence of interconnected crises that trigger cascading and compounding impacts. The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change-driven extreme weather events, disasters, economic instability, and ongoing armed conflicts are far from isolated incidents. They deeply interact with vulnerabilities embedded within our social, political, and cultural systems, producing...

20250506_Deputy Minister of Culture of Cyprus Visits ICCROM

Deputy Minister of Culture of Cyprus Visits ICCROM

On 6 May 2025, ICCROM Director-General Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral had the honour of welcoming H.E. Dr Vasiliki Kassianidou, Deputy Minister of Culture of Cyprus, accompanied by H.E. Mr Yiorgos Christofides, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Italy. The delegation also included Mrs Kypriani Stavrinaki, Counsellor at the Embassy, and Dr Skevi Christodoulou, Advisor to the Deputy Minister.

20250506_Deputy Minister of Culture of Cyprus Visits ICCROM

Deputy Minister of Culture of Cyprus Visits ICCROM

On 6 May 2025, ICCROM Director-General Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral had the honour of welcoming H.E. Dr Vasiliki Kassianidou, Deputy Minister of Culture of Cyprus, accompanied by H.E. Mr Yiorgos Christofides, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Italy. The delegation also included Mrs Kypriani Stavrinaki, Counsellor at the Embassy, and Dr Skevi Christodoulou, Advisor to the Deputy Minister.

Visit by Representatives of Sweden

Visit by Representatives of Sweden

On 14 April 2024, the Director-General of ICCROM, Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral, welcomed representatives from the Embassy of Sweden and members of the Swedish Parliamentary Committee on Culture to ICCROM headquarters in Rome.