Learn & Discover

ICCROM 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

ICOM 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

The International Council on Monuments and Sites, a non-governmental professional organization dedicated to the conservation of the world’s historic monuments and sites. Comprising heritage experts from around the globe, ICOMOS advises UNESCO on cultural World Heritage Site nominations and monitoring. It also develops charters and principles (like the Venice Charter) that set international standards for best practice in heritage conservation.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

IUCN 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

The International Union for Conservation of Nature, an international organization that focuses on nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. In heritage terms, IUCN serves as the Advisory Body evaluating and monitoring natural and mixed (natural-cultural) World Heritage Sites. It brings expertise on biodiversity, geology, and ecosystem management to ensure that natural heritage is preserved alongside cultural heritage.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

The illegal trade, smuggling, or sale of cultural objects, which often involves artifacts being stolen from museums, looted from archaeological sites, or illegally exported from their country of origin. Illicit trafficking deprives communities of their heritage and is often linked with organized crime. Combating it requires international cooperation, laws like the UNESCO 1970 Convention, law enforcement efforts, and due diligence by collectors and dealers to ensure items have legal provenance.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Immovable 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

Legal protections granted to cultural objects on temporary loan – typically from one country to another – ensuring they cannot be confiscated or subjected to legal claims while abroad. Museums often rely on immunity from seizure guarantees when they lend or borrow artworks and artifacts for exhibitions, to reassure the lending party that their property will be returned safely, without the risk of litigation or impoundment in the host country.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Import Restriction 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

A legal measure by which a country prohibits or limits the import of certain cultural materials, usually to combat illicit trade. For instance, a nation might enforce import restrictions on archaeological artifacts from a country that has suffered major looting, honoring international agreements (like the UNESCO 1970 Convention) to help return stolen items and discourage smuggling by making it harder to find a market.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Incident Command System 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

Inclusion 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 time-honored wisdom, know-how, and beliefs developed by indigenous communities through long-term interaction with their environment. It includes practices related to agriculture, medicine, cosmology, and resource management, and is transmitted orally or by example.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Historical sites, buildings, and objects associated with manufacturing, mining, transportation, and other industries. Examples include old factories, mills, railways, and machinery. Industrial heritage also covers the traditions and social history of workers and communities shaped by industrialization.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Informed Consent 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

Inpainting 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

In heritage terms, insurance refers to financial protection plans that cultural institutions or owners take out to cover loss or damage to valuable artifacts, artworks, or historic properties. For example, a museum might insure a painting against theft or a historic house against fire. In the event of an incident, the insurance payout can fund conservation or reconstruction. Specialized policies (sometimes backed by governments for very high-value national treasures) help manage the risk of exhibiting or loaning items.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Insurance (Collections) 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

Intangible Cultural 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

Intangible Heritage Bearers 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

Intangible Heritage Convention (2003) 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

Integrated Pest Management 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

A preventive conservation approach to protect collections from pests (like insects or rodents) through a combination of practices. Rather than relying solely on chemical fumigants, Integrated Pest Management involves monitoring for pest activity, improving storage hygiene, controlling climate (pests thrive in certain humidity/temperature), and using traps or biological controls. The goal is to prevent infestations and avoid damage to organic materials such as textiles, wood, or paper.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Integrity 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

Intergenerational Equity 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