This book aims to determine UNESCO's capability to facilitate heritage protection measures pre-conflict, emergency response measures during conflict and reconstruction efforts post-conflict. The book employs document analysis to ascertain UNESCO's legal obligations when it comes to facilitating cultural heritage protection in its Member States' territories in the condition of armed conflict, while drawing comparisons with the reality of the organisation's presence and involvement in Yemen, Syria and Iraq. This study maps shifts in UNESCO's level of communication with each country's respective government and civil authorities; allocation of financial, human and material resources; and implementation of heritage safeguarding and reconstruction initiatives. Both quantitative and qualitative data shows UNESCO to exhibit great inequity in engagement, at times, closing communications entirely with Syria, due to the political standpoints of other UNESCO Member States. This political gridlock is often shown to result in the organisation overstating its ability to safeguard or restore heritage, with promises not being followed up with action. Since 2015, UNESCO has expressed a stronger intent to be a key player in heritage protection during armed conflict, however as long as cultural heritage protection is not considered a humanitarian concern, UNESCO will not be able to circumvent much of the political and bureaucratic barriers facing intergovernmental organisations during conflict, which prevent emergency action from being implemented. In order to ensure heritage safeguarding is permitted during periods of significant unrest, regardless of political discord, it is crucial that UNESCO promote a people-centred approach to its cultural heritage protection initiatives. This book evidences that focusing on livelihoods and meaningful and practical connections between populations and their local heritage to be UNESCO's optimal methodological approach for justifying cultural heritage protection as a humanitarian necessity. The book's readership includes academics, researchers, and practitioners in the fields of political science, law and heritage studies.

This study was conducted to provide the U.S. Department of State with an assessment of the potential impacts on science of a United States withdrawal from UNESCO and to suggest possible alternative arrangements to maintain essential U.S. scientific contacts with UNESCO-sponsored programs in case the United States were no longer a member of UNESCO on January 1, 1985. Following an introduction (chapter 1), the strategic considerations that provide the basis for the study (including significant caveats and limitations that pertain to the findings) are discussed in chapter 2. A summary of preliminary findings is presented in chapter 3. A program assessment (including potential impacts of a U.S. withdrawal), suggested alternatives, a summary of preliminary findings, and budgetary information is provided in chapter 4 for these three UNESCO Major Programs and subprograms: (1) Sciences and Their Application to Development (Natural Sciences, Technology and Engineering, Key Areas, Social and Human Services, Key Areas); (2) Science, Technology and Society-STS (Relations and STS Policies); and (3) The Human Environment and Terrestrial and Marine Resources (Earth Sciences and Resources, Natural Hazards, Water Resources, Oceans and Resources, Coastal and Island Regions, and Environmental Sciences: Man and the Biosphere). A supplement providing detailed information on program areas within the UNESCO Major Programs is included. (JN)