European Lecture – Reflections by Sada Mire
Archaeologist and researcher at Leiden University, The Hague, 13 June 2016
Cultural heritage at risk: protecting cultural heritage in times of conflict
Her Excellency Ms Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO
Her Excellency Ms Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi, President of the International Criminal Court
H.R.H Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, UNESCO Special Envoy on Literacy for Development
Honourable moderator Ms Sneska Quaedvlieg-Mihailovic, Secretary-General of Europa Nostra
Your Excellences
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am honoured to be speaking here today and responding to this important speech by Ms Bokova in this Europe Lecture. Europe itself is a continent which’s heritage I am personally connected to through my Scandinavian experience.
The Director-General has made the point that UNESCO values cultural heritage as a bond for the humanity we all share. I of course share this view.