Learn & Discover

Before-and-After Photography is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Benefit Sharing describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

The name refers to both an emblem and an organization dedicated to protecting cultural heritage during armed conflicts and disasters. The Blue Shield emblem (a blue and white shield) is the international symbol used to mark protected cultural property under the Hague Convention of 1954. The Blue Shield network (often called the cultural Red Cross) consists of committees and volunteers worldwide who work to safeguard museums, archives, monuments, and sites at risk from wars or natural catastrophes.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Blue Shield Emblem relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Build Back Better is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Building Code relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Built Heritage refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

In the context of heritage institutions (like museums, archives, or cultural sites), this refers to planning and processes that enable operations to continue or quickly resume after an emergency or disruption. A Business Continuity plan might cover backup sites for exhibitions, data recovery for digital archives, or temporary relocation of collections to ensure services and preservation activities are maintained.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO