Globalising the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Europe

LYNX Summer School 

23-24-25-26 June 2025

IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca

Piazza San Francesco 19, Lucca (Italy)

Call for Applications

168 are today the States that include the 952 cultural sites inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List (hereinafter, “the List”). Of these sites, 46.85% are located in Europe and North America, 24.20% in Asia and the Pacific, 12.26% in Latin America and the Caribbean, 8.83% in Africa, and 7.85% in Arab States.

These figures provide some key insights:

1. The number of cultural sites considered to have an "outstanding universal value" (the essential condition for being designated as a World Heritage Site and included in the List) is remarkable and it has been significantly increasing over the years;

2. The geographic distribution of UNESCO-listed cultural sites is uneven. Europe and North America dominate the list, while representation is significantly lower for regions such as Africa and the Arab States.

The reasons for these disparities are diverse, stemming not only from historical and artistic considerations, but also from legal, geo-political, and diplomatic factors.

Moreover, the high number of cultural sites inscribed in the List also highlights how the protection of cultural heritage is shifting from being primarily a national prerogative to becoming a global phenomenon.

In this context, and to operate in an increasingly globalized world requiring knowledge of cross-border realities, it is essential to understand what constitutes and how to implement cultural heritage protection today. What are the rules governing this field? To which legal traditions do they belong? Which international or intergovernmental instruments must be considered? And in what diverse ways is ‘protection’ carried out today? Addressing these questions is critical to navigate the contemporary academic and professional world, whether as a lawyer, an art historian, or a professional working within a cultural institution.

Building on these considerations, this unique program seeks to analyze and reflect—through a case-study-based approach—on the major trends characterizing the concept of "cultural heritage protection" today. We will examine not only global trends but also the role of specific functions, such as the protection of property rights, art export controls, and initiatives of digitalization. Cultural heritage will be considered in its broadest sense, encompassing both material and immaterial heritage, while also considering the context in which the heritage is situated. This framework will enable the analysis of concepts such as "contested heritage," which is significant because the idea of protection involves not only physical but also contextual preservation able to account for the interests of different stakeholders.

A central aspect of this analysis regards the various actors operating in the global arena: States and their distinct legal systems. Therefore, one of the main focuses of the Summer School is the comparative analysis among EU member states, as well as with non-European countries, such as the United States. This comparative approach will allow to understand how cultural heritage protection varies across different contexts, not only in terms of regulatory instruments, but also of the ideologies underpinning the different legislative settings.

In addition to comparison, a second defining feature of the Summer School is its multidisciplinary nature. The proposed topics will be addressed through the lens of different  disciplines, benefitting of the knowledge and experience of a diverse cohort of speakers

Objectives, Structure, and Participant Profiles

This program aims to establish a framework for research and teaching, promoting the creation of a network which will provide participants with lasting benefits, supporting ongoing research and development beyond the program's conclusion.

The Summer School is designed to target participants with diverse backgrounds and profiles:
a) Students, Ph.D. candidates, and researchers will have the chance to deepen their understanding of the legal framework for the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage, identifying key research areas and the specific needs of public and private institutions in this field;
b) Legal professionals and practitioners will enhance their awareness of international cultural heritage regulation and management;
c) Cultural heritage professionals will gain insights into applicable legal frameworks, improve their models and best practices, and develop awareness of diverse rules and management approaches.

The program will last three days, featuring lectures delivered by highly regarded international professionals and academics, helping participants develop a theoretical understanding of the subject matter and its interrelated issues. Participants will also have the opportunity to actively engage in critical discussions, benefiting from a privileged platform to interact with speakers and peers.

In addition to lectures, the program includes an off-site visit and a group project activity, where participants will collaboratively develop a project based on the themes discussed during the sessions.

The Summer School will be conducted in English. 

The program may be updated; please check our website for the latest information.

To open and download the Call in PDF, click here.