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Short Course:
International Cultural Heritage

Course Outline

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?

 
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Indicative 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 HeritageIntangible Cultural Heritage
  • The Settlement of Inter-State disputes concerned with Cultural Heritage
  • The Restitution of Cultural Heritage 

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 easily available. 10/10!"

"Really great overview of everything."

Course format

This course is offered as an online course providing 5 x 2 hours sessions.

Course cost

The course cost is £300 per person.

Course Discounts

Member discount: 15% discount for individual members of BIICL
Details of individual memberships at BIICL 

Group discounts:

  • 15% discount for groups of 3 or more attendees from NGO organisations or staff of government
  • 15% discount for groups of 5 or more attendees from commercial organisations
     

*Course cost is subject to change 

Scholarships

We are delighted to be able to offer scholarships designed to enable individuals from communities currently under-represented in the legal field to access our world-class courses and benefit from unparalleled learning experiences.

Scholarships are aimed at 3 categories: individuals from communities and backgrounds that are under-represented in the legal field in the UK and abroad; individuals who have recently received a needs-based bursary from their university or further-education college and representatives from Small Charities, NGOs, and Community-Based Organisations.

Applications for training scholarships must be received at least three weeks ahead of the course start date (15 September 2025). Applications must be made via the online form and applications received via any other means will not be considered.

Find out more about training scholarships 

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