Nexus of cultural heritage / cultural diversity with peace

Topic

"Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that defences of peace must be constructed." (1st paragraph of the preamble of the UNESCO Constitution)

This future-driven research topic requires comprehensive research assignments and new research co-operations in order to succeed. The underlying assumption is that respect for cultural heritage and cultural diversity can be considered a central feature in international relations, since it comprises of a pivotal peace-keeping function in the long-term perspective, in particular.

Research

The mandate of the UNESCO Chair according to the Agreement concerning the Establishment of a UNESCO Chair in International Relations at the Technische Universität Dresden, Germany (25 March 2009) is directed to

“analyze the existing nexus of cultural heritage / cultural diversity with peace” (article 2, 3rd bullet point).

Thus, different research perspectives can be observed. Today we know that "traditional stereotypes towards other nations and cultures (…) led to at least as many conflicts as materialistic interests do with regard to access to natural resources, trading routes or simply power interests when extending spheres of influence“ (see Walter Hirche, p. 31). We experienced in the wars on the Balkans in the 1990s or permanently in the Middle East region, for instance, that the destruction of churches, mosques and synagogues severely violated the cultural identity of the opponent. This leads to the difficult situation which leaves very little for peaceful co-existence. Hence, cultural co-operation, especially oriented to preserving cultural heritage and recognizing cultural diversity, is always at the core of confidence-building measures. That is why it is regarded principally appropriate to "initiate legal relations based on peaceful co-operation“ (see Walter Hirche, p. 31).

However, what is to be stated instead, is a serious neglect of the cultural dimension in the context of conflict prevention, conflict resolution or post-conflict support. For instance, in this respect, the ratio between the military spending of the operation in Cambodia (UNTAC) in the amount of EUR 7.5 billion and the reconstruction in terms of education, science and culture in the amount of EUR 30 million equals 250:1 (see Wolfgang Reuther, p. 68). Against all assertions, we are still far away from the vision of a culture of peace, that incorporates education, science and culture as constitutive, non-military element of a policy of peace.

Even though facing a difficult period of sluggish reform processes in the European Union - the Euroean Integration threatened by a financial system and economic crisis, it appears to be essential listening to the words attributed to Jean Monnet stating that "european unification must start off with culture“. By accepting the principle of subsidiarity, a concerted European cultural policy may substantially contribute to peaceful interaction of different cultures which might eventually turn into a decisive factor both for the concept of a unified Europe and for the global image. In this respect, UNESCO is fully capable to offer adequate platforms, too.

The innovatove nexus between the topics of climate change - national heritage protection - peace will gradually be developed further. The research assumption is that specific impacts of climate change on cultural heritage and cultural diversity potentially aggravate the quest for enduring global peace.

Projects

since 09/2012: The Role of Shared Heritage in sustaining Cultural Rights for Equality and Sustainable Peace in Palestine and Israel
since 01/2012: Climate Change as a Threat to Peace: Impacts on Cultural Heritage and Cultural Diversity
06/2007–01/2010: The Responsibility to Protect
 

Publications

Walter Hirche: Kulturelle Zusammenarbeit als dritte Dimension der deutschen Außenpolitik, in: Deutsche UNESCO-Kommission (Hrsg.), Lernziel Weltoffenheit, Fünfzig Jahre deutsche Mitarbeit in der UNESCO, 2001

Sylvia Maus: Cultural Human Rights and the Protection of Cultural Heritage: Acting in Concert in Times of Climate Change, in: Cambridge Review of International Affairs, 2014

Wolfgang Reuther: Übergang und Zusammenführung: Das neue Deutschland in der UNESCO, in: DUK (Hrsg.), Lernziel Weltoffenheit, Fünfzig Jahre Deutsche Mitarbeit in der UNESCO, 2001

Sabine von Schorlemer: The Responsibility to protect as an Element of Peace, in: Policy Paper. Stiftung Entwicklung und Frieden, Bonn, 2007

Sabine von Schorlemer (Hrsg.): Climate Change as a Threat to Peace: Impacts on Cultural Heritage and Cultural Diversity. Dresdner Schriften zu Recht und Politik der Vereinten Nationen 19. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang, 2014

Sabine von Schorlemer; Sylvia Maus: Impacts of Climate Change as a Threat to Peace on Cultural Heritage and Cultural Diversity: An Introduction, in: Climate Change as a Threat to Peace: Impacts on Cultural Heritage and Cultural Diversity, Dresdner Schriften zu Recht und Politik der Vereinten Nationen, 2014