---
title: Protecting cultural property |  Newcastle University | Policy impact
description: Newcastle University is shaping international policy in order to protect cultural heritage.
image: https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/hubfs/NU%20Policy%20Impact/ourwork-key-03cultural-818x428.jpg
---

![Cultural property (Desktop 1800x1213)](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/NU%20Policy%20Impact/Cultural%20property%20(Desktop%201800x1213).jpg?length=1920&name=Cultural%20property%20(Desktop%201800x1213).jpg)

# Protecting Cultural Property

Safeguarding heritage across the globe.

- [Home](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/homepage?hsLang=en)
- [Our Work](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/our-work?hsLang=en)
- Protecting Cultural Property

## **Shaping international policy**

[Professor Peter Stone OBE](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/sacs/people/profile/peterstone.html) is UNESCO Chair in Cultural Property Protection and Peace. He is [President of the Blue Shield](https://theblueshield.org/about-us/meet-the-board/) and a member of the UK National Commission for UNESCO's Expert Network.

Prof Stone's work **shapes international policy** for protecting cultural heritage where armed conflict occurs.

## **The role of cultural property**

Protecting cultural heritage is important for individual and community well-being.

Once destroyed, cultural property cannot simply be replaced. Complex in nature, cultural property:

- provides a sense of place and identity
- defines communities
- is a source of livelihood for many
- can be a vehicle for reconciliation

![Professor Peter Stone OBE](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Policy/2023/prof-stone-575x355.jpg?length=582&name=prof-stone-575x355.jpg)

## **Developing safeguarding processes**

In 2003, Prof Stone advised the UK’s Ministry of Defence on the protection of archaeological cultural heritage in Iraq. Since then, he has worked with global organisations to protect cultural property during times of conflict. This has involved developing and refining new processes and changing attitudes.

Protecting heritage is best achieved through partnership. Working together, groups can understand that protecting heritage helps them achieve their aims. This was part of his ‘[4 Tier Approach](https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/abs/fourtier-approach-to-the-protection-of-cultural-property-in-the-event-of-armed-conflict/E581C8E31F924C87E866AFDD27F7BC3B)’ to **protect and preserve cultural property and archives**.

## **A '4 Tier Approach'**

Prof Stone's approach brings together:

- cultural heritage experts
- the military
- the UK's Ministry of Defence
- NATO

There was no framework before for co-operation between these partners.

The four-phase approach works long-term, pre-deployment, during conflict and in post-conflict stabilisation. It is now seen as a first step in the development of change in military doctrine for the UK and NATO. It led to the establishment of a Joint Service Cultural Property Protection Unit, operational in UK forces from 2020.

<https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/our-work/shaping-rural-policy?hsLang=en>

![Shaping rural policy](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/NU%20Policy%20Impact/ourwork-key-04rural-818x428.jpg?length=313&name=ourwork-key-04rural-818x428.jpg)

## Shaping rural policy Go to this link

Shaping rural policy through research and practical innovation.

<https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/our-work/utilising-data-for-economic-growth?hsLang=en>

![](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/ourwork-key-data-818x428.jpg?length=313&name=ourwork-key-data-818x428.jpg)

## Utilising data for economic growth Go to this link

The National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD) uses the power of data to unlock economic opportunities and support the government.

<https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/our-work/the-driverless-road-ahead?hsLang=en>

![](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/ourwork-key-driverless-818x428.jpg?length=313&name=ourwork-key-driverless-818x428.jpg)

## The driverless road ahead Go to this link

The popularity of driverless vehicles is growing. Policy Newcastle explores the ways it can make the industry more efficient.

![contact-newsletter-1920x600](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/NU%20Policy%20Impact/contact-newsletter-1920x600.jpg?length=1180&name=contact-newsletter-1920x600.jpg)

## Mailing List

[ Sign Up to our Newsletter Go to this link ](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/contact-us/sign-up-to-our-newsletter?hsLang=en)

[ Home Go to this link ](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk?hsLang=en) [ Our work Go to this link ](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/our-work?hsLang=en) [ Contact us Go to this link ](https://policy.ncl.ac.uk/contact-us?hsLang=en)