Joint action secures future of Cultural Protection Fund

Joint action secures future of Cultural Protection Fund

 ARA joined with sector colleagues to send a joint letter regarding a rumour that the Cultural Protection Fund might be under threat.  The lead author and co-ordinator, Professor Peter Stone ( UNESCO Chair in Cultural Property Protection and Peace President, The Blue Shield ), was told that this had been circulated widely across Whitehall and was instrumental in securing future funding for the CPF.

In December 2021 a formal response was sent from the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, to Professor Stone confirming that the Government remained committed to the aims of the fund and to providing the means for it to continue its work saying:

“The Government remains entirely committed to the international cultural heritage protection agenda. This is reflected in our allocation of £30 million in Official Development Assistance to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021, towards the continuation of the CPF and associated international cultural heritage protection work.”

Thank you to everyone who played a part in this, particularly responding to the short notice and urgency in getting the joint letter written, signed and sent.