Short Course: Cultural Heritage Law

Course Details

This course will offer an introduction to cultural heritage as an international legal concept. It will include discussions of the key threats to cultural heritage at present, including trafficking, armed conflicts, and development. In doing so, it will also cover international instruments that have been adopted over the past decades to protect cultural heritage. Finally, the course will conclude with a special session focused on restitution matters, considering past return processes and what can be learnt from them.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to understand:

• What is 'cultural heritage' under international law?
• How does international law protect cultural heritage?
• What is the role of States and non-state actors in protecting cultural heritage?
• How has the conceptualization of cultural heritage changed overtime?

Course topics:

• Cultural Heritage as a Global Concept
• Cultural Heritage within the International Human Rights Framework
• Combatting the Trafficking of Cultural Objects
• An Economic Perspective on Cultural Heritage: Cultural Objects as Goods
• The Protection of Cultural Heritage in Armed Conflict
• Prosecuting and Redressing Crimes Against Cultural Heritage
• World Cultural Heritage
• Intangible Cultural Heritage
• The Settlement of Inter-State disputes concerned with Cultural Heritage
• The Restitution of Cultural Heritage

Course leader

Kristin Hausler, Dorset Senior Research Fellow in Public International Law and Director, Centre for International Law, BIICL.

Course format

The virtual course format will consist of a series of 5 sessions in which live (synchronous) teaching is offered via Zoom. Participants will be able to interact with the tutors and amongst themselves on screen.

Testimonials from past attendees

"The course provided a very interesting overview of all the areas involved in the protection of cultural heritage."
"Good variation of topics, speakers and presentations all while remaining focused on the key themes...All resources and access to the course are easily available. 10/10!"
"Really great overview of everything."

Training scholarships

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law is committed to equality and opportunity in the legal profession and to support greater engagement of under-represented groups in the legal profession.

In our efforts in this regard we are delighted to offer 3 scholarships for each of our short courses to participants from communities and backgrounds currently under-represented in the legal community.

Applications for training scholarships must be received at least three weeks ahead of the course start date (4 September 2024)

Find out more about training scholarships 

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