The Role of UNIDROIT in Global Efforts to Protect Cultural Heritage

Abstract

The Role of UNIDROIT in Global Efforts to Protect Cultural Heritage Alicja Jagielska-Burduk (AJB), Claudia S. Quiñones Vilá (CQ): As Secretary-General of UNIDROIT, you are constantly in communication and engagement with individuals and organizations with a global reach. What is your perspective regarding the role of cultural heritage as a bridge between societies and its potential to initiate constructive dialogues and policy development? Ignacio Tirado: Cultural heritage is paramount to substantiate solid and sound international relations between States. Cultural heritage is the soul of a country, how it stands in the world, how it has evolved over history. It is what makes each country unique and special, and hence it is the basis for internationalism. We travel abroad and we study the history and traditions of different places precisely because they are different and special: if all countries were equal, why travel? Why take an interest in a neighbour, or in a beautiful far-away land? When UNIDROIT protects and preserves cultural property, it is creating enormous value for the international community. This is why we are so proud of our work in the field. INTERVIEWS* Professor Ignacio Tirado, Secretary-General UNIDROIT. ** Alicja Jagielska-Burduk serves as Editor-in-Chief of the "Santander Art and Culture Law Review" (orcid.org/0000-0001-6696-8004).