When I tell people what I do I have many reactions. Reactions that can be simplistically rolled into two groups – practical and ethical. 

First, the practical reaction: which relates to the impossibility of protecting heritage in war. Some think I am mad, “protecting heritage in a war is impossible”; “we [the military] have better things to do”; “protecting cultural heritage has nothing to do with our [humanitarian] work; it’s impossible for us [the heritage sector] to do anything. To emphasise my stupidity, I was recently described as a “modern day, Don Quixote”. Second the ethical reaction: some question the ethical basis of protecting old things when all efforts should be going to protecting people, “it’s impossible to protect old rocks when people need food and shelter, how dare you”.   

 Both reactions raise serious points that need deep reflection and careful, considered practical action. We, the Blue Shield, do not have all of the answers but have given, and continue to give, deep reflection to these issues. Reflections which, I hope, can be seen translated in our practical work and aspirations. My presentation will touch on the history of trying to protect heritage in war, a little on the nature of war, and on how the Blue Shield is trying to build a consensus on why protecting heritage is important and how it might be achieved.