Solidarity across the INTO family
As the world watches the painful loss of life, culture and heritage happening across Ukraine, global networks are demonstrating the strength of compassion. We wanted to share some acts of solidarity from across the INTO family.
Our statement on Ukraine
At INTO, global cooperation is the cornerstone of all that we do. We champion the diversity of our cultures and explore places we can find mutual ground and shared experience.
We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and the horrifying circumstances that they are enduring. We echo concerns raised by UNESCO about the risks faced by heritage professionals and citizens on the ground in Ukraine and the damage and loss of Ukraine’s cultural heritage.
Above all, we hope that the spirit of commonality and compassion leads us to a peaceful resolution.
We, alongside UNESCO UK, the World Monuments Fund, Europa Nostra, the Victoria and Albert Museum and other sector peers have also signed an open letter to the Minister for Culture of the Russian Federation to call for the urgent de-escalation of violence and destruction to cultural heritage in Ukraine.
The threat to Ukraine’s heritage
We have joined with colleagues in calling for the protection of Ukraine’s rich cultural heritage. 75% of the countries where INTO has members are signatories to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. You can read the statement from the National Trust (of England, Wales and Northern Ireland) on Ukraine and cultural property protection below.
Read the statement hereINTO members standing in solidarity
Sources of support and funding
Many European and international networks and organisations, in addition to the signatories of the open letter, are working to support colleagues and organisations in Ukraine. A few are listed below:
ALIPH, the funder of our project with the National Trust of Georgia and Union REMPART, are offering funds and help with cultural heritage emergency relief projects on the ground in Ukraine.
The Cultural Emergency Response team from Prince Claus Fund is working with the Smithsonian to offer remote advice to heritage professionals in Ukraine.
The Institute of Conservation (Icon) have a link on their website to the Center to Rescue Ukraine’s Cultural Heritage who assist with collection and distribution of materials and funding.
Our friends at Europa Nostra have launched a crowdfunding appeal to support the defenders of Ukraine’s endangered heritage, those working in the cultural heritage world as well as those who have been rendered refugees.
At such a desperately sad and difficult time it’s heart-warming to see the generosity and kindness of our INTO friends and colleagues. We live in a complex, multidimensional and inter-dependent world. But we believe that heritage can be a force for good. And we hope that by working together, showing solidarity internationally and empowering locally, we can make a difference.