Antiquities Coalition

Thank you to our partners, advisors, and to all supporters who make this work possible! We continue the fight to protect our shared heritage and ensure the past is preserved for future generations. ?? Visit our website to learn more: https://lnkd.in/ew7NVCmh

This month, the Antiquities Coalition joined the Meridian International Center to convene key players in Washington for a "Cultural Crimes Salon on the Illicit Art Market and the Fight for Cultural Preservation." AC Chairman and Founder Deborah Lehr moderated dialogue between civil society, law enforcement, and museums about ongoing threats to global security and solutions, such as international cooperation and optimized digital tools. ??Many thanks to the Meridian International Center and Lugano Diamonds for elevating this critical issue, and to our speakers Dr. Richard Kurin, Tess Davis, and Special Agent Jessica Dittmer. More on the event: https://lnkd.in/gzjGEpja

Today marks the Antiquities Coalition’s 10th anniversary. The last decade has been a time of great challenges for the world’s cultural heritage. It is no exaggeration to say that we have witnessed destruction and looting on a scale not seen since the Second World War—and as we see in the headlines every day, this shows no sign of stopping. However, we have also seen communities, governments, and, in many cases, the entire global community come together to fight back in unprecedented ways. The Antiquities Coalition has been honored to have a front-row seat to these efforts—and I've been honored to join them. Thanks to all who make our work possible. Here is to the next ten years!

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Antiquities Coalition, I am honored to reflect on the remarkable achievements of our organization and the significant strides we have made in the fight against cultural racketeering -- the illicit trade in antiquities. When I founded this organization in 2014, we faced the daunting challenge of raising awareness about the threats of antiquities looting -- an issue that many viewed as a victimless crime. Today, there is increased awareness and a growing political will to seek solutions. We stand united with a diverse network of officials, partners, advocates, and supporters who share our mission, creating meaningful change to protect cultural heritage around the world. Over the past decade, we have developed actionable recommendations for governments, the private sector, and civil society, raised awareness at key international conferences, launched impactful campaigns, and published significant research that has transformed our approach to this global crisis that not only threatens are shared heritage but jobs, economic growth and at times, national security. As we look to the future, we remain committed to serving as a pioneer, a catalyst for change, and most importantly, a coalition. We are honored that institutions from the G20, Nato, World Bank to governments like the U.S., Egypt, Cambodia and the KSA to long standing and respected archaeological organizations such as the University of Pennsylvania are now also seeking solutions to the illegal trade of antiquities and looting. A heartfelt thank you to all who have supported us on this journey. Your dedication inspires us to keep pushing forward.

???On the occasion of the International Day Against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property, Executive Director Tess Davis joined UNESCO Bangkok to address ongoing threats posed by #CulturalRacketeering. The Antiquities Coalition was proud to join other attendees in celebrating Thailand's recovery of formerly stolen cultural objects, including artifacts from the Ban Chiang World Heritage Site. Many thanks to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok for hosting this important conversation!

??Today is the Antiquities Coalition’s 10th Anniversary! ?? We champion better law and policy, foster diplomatic cooperation, and advance proven solutions with governments, law enforcement, and the legitimate market. With your support, we are building a world where cultural treasures are safe, respected, and protected for future generations. Want to join our coalition? Scroll to learn how.

ICYMI— The Republic of Yemen ratified the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention. This Convention encourages best practices in the sale and acquisition of cultural property and facilitates the return of stolen objects. ??Congratulations to Yemen and allies at UNIDROIT for this positive step towards protecting Yemeni heritage! https://lnkd.in/ewveuey5

The 2024 G20 Leaders' Summit takes place this week in Rio de Janeiro. Each year, the #G20 deepens its commitments to #Culture. Now, the 2024 Brazilian Cultural Working Group is calling for "preservation, safeguarding, and the promotion of cultural heritage and memory." To this end, we recall four Key Recommendations from our "Roadmap for the G20 to Combat the Illicit Trade in Cultural Objects": ??Request Member States complete accountability reports to pinpoint challenges and opportunities ????Leverage leadership at the highest level to build political will, recognizing looting and the illicit trade of cultural objects as serious crimes ??Fill law and policy gaps in the legal and self-regulatory framework, both domestically and globally, for a comprehensive, harmonized system. ??Channel global support for communities and countries in crisis whose heritage is threatened by armed conflict, such as #Sudan and #Ukraine Our Recommendations: https://lnkd.in/dVFBjHwi Insights from the G20 Cultural Working Group: https://lnkd.in/ekUZhRfT #G20Summit #G20BrazilianPresidency

It was an honor to moderate a thoughtful discussion as part of @Meridian International Center's "Cultural Diplomacy Salon Series" in partnership with the Antiquities Coalition and Lugano Diamonds, focused on the Illicit Art Market and the Fight for Cultural Preservation. Cultural racketeering is not just the romantic subject of Hollywood films and Daniel Silva books -- it poses immediate threats to national security, global economy, and human rights around the world. Distinguished experts, including Tess Davis (Executive Director, Antiquities Coalition), Jessica Dittmer (Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Art Crime Team), and Dr. Richard Kurin (Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador at Large, Smithsonian Institution), joined us to explore the far-reaching impacts of art crime on the world today -- and importantly, why we should do something about it --?in front of an audience of government, military, civil society, and the private sector. The AC is proud to work with partners to?bring together diverse experts and perspectives to strengthen the global response to cultural racketeering, ensuring that culture remains a force for connection and diplomacy -- not sold to the highest bidder. (Photo Credit Stephen Bobb Photography) -----

It was an honor to moderate a thoughtful discussion as part of @Meridian International Center's "Cultural Diplomacy Salon Series" in partnership with the Antiquities Coalition and Lugano Diamonds, focused on the Illicit Art Market and the Fight for Cultural Preservation. Cultural racketeering is not just the romantic subject of Hollywood films and Daniel Silva books -- it poses immediate threats to national security, global economy, and human rights around the world. Distinguished experts, including Tess Davis (Executive Director, Antiquities Coalition), Jessica Dittmer (Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Art Crime Team), and Dr. Richard Kurin (Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador at Large, Smithsonian Institution), joined us to explore the far-reaching impacts of art crime on the world today -- and importantly, why we should do something about it --?in front of an audience of government, military, civil society, and the private sector. The AC is proud to work with partners to?bring together diverse experts and perspectives to strengthen the global response to cultural racketeering, ensuring that culture remains a force for connection and diplomacy -- not sold to the highest bidder. (Photo Credit Stephen Bobb Photography) -----