European Union on the Protection and Enhancement of Cultural Heritage

The role of the European Union in the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage in conflict and post-conflict contexts in the Middle East region

Read the report or listen to presentations given at the International conference on Youtube. 

Dr Mehiyar Kathem of the Nahrein Network was lead researcher for the EU assignment on a new initiative to develop the basis for a strategy for the EU on conflict and cultural heritage. Mehiyar with three other colleagues worked on the conceptual framing of the report as well as the case-study, which focused on Iraq. Over 40 interviews were conducted with EU officials, the EU delegation in Iraq and researchers and other key stakeholders.  

The project was a key milestone as the EU is working to devise a new framework that combines both conflict analysis as well as cultural heritage. The report culminated in a two-day conference on 12 and 13 November 2020.  

The report, for the EU External Action Service (EEAS), is now considered to constitute an important point of reference for the delivery of a new framework, which is being discussed and will most likely evolve into an operational policy for the EU and Member States in 2021/2022.