Cultural heritage is far more than art or archaeology; it tells the story of who we are. When cultural property is stolen, looted, or trafficked, entire communities lose pieces of their identity, history, and future. Illicit trafficking often begins with theft or illegal excavations, crimes that not only damage the objects themselves but also erase the scientific, historical, and emotional knowledge they carry.
Protecting cultural property is, therefore, not only about preserving beautiful objects – it is about safeguarding the knowledge, values, and creativity of past civilisations whose legacy shapes our present. These objects bear witness to human achievement and resilience and are key for the full enjoyment of cultural rights. They also inspire learning, support scientific discovery, and connect people across cultures and generations.
To strengthen international efforts in this field, UNESCO, through the Antenna in Sarajevo of its Office in Venice and together with the Culture and Emergency Entity and its Illicit Trafficking and Return and Restitution Unit, is launching a massive open online course (MOOC) on preventing illicit trafficking of cultural property.
Structured into 6 modules, the course explores a series of key elements:
- international legal framework addressing cultural property crimes
- criminal behaviour targeting archaeological sites and museums, particularly in conflict or post-conflict settings with fragile security
- practical tools to effectively safeguard cultural heritage
The course will be launched in March 2026, targeting a wide range of stakeholders, from cultural heritage professionals to the judiciary and law-enforcement. It features lecturers from the UNESCO Secretariat, partner organisations, academic institutions, UNESCO Chairs, as well as experts and government representatives from UNESCO Member States. To stay aligned with emerging challenges – including new technologies, online trafficking, collaboration with the art market, and regional specificities – the course will continuously evolve.
The development of the MOOC is the result of UNESCO’s long-standing commitment and global efforts to support its Member States, especially through the recent EU-funded project ‘Fighting against illicit trafficking of cultural property in the Western Balkans’. The course responds directly to Member States’ requests for a comprehensive educational tool to strengthen national capacities in preventing these crimes; its development has been possible thanks to the generous support of the European Union.
Once launched, the MOOC will be accessible on UNESCO Open Learning Platform.
UNESCO invites its Member States to share this resource and encourages both experienced professionals and newcomers to engage with this course. By doing so, they contribute to UNESCO’s mission of protecting the knowledge, values, and creativity of past civilisations that continue to shape our present.
