Overview

The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) application for this course is open NOW.

Worldwide, the preservation of cultural heritage is a critical part within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda, as reported under Goal 11 by which countries have promised to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, secure, resistant and sustainable.” mainly, Target 11.4 of Goal 11 aims to “strengthen efforts to preserve and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.”

On this point, the number of international crimes linked to the looting and trafficking of cultural heritage belongings has significantly risen. Moreover, their links to international criminal activity, including the financing of terrorist groups, are becoming more apparent year by year.

Considering this, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), in partnership with the American University of Rome (AUR), is organizing the first edition of the Summer Course on “Cultural Heritage, Crime and Security: Safeguarding our Past to Invest in our Future,.” Apply for this if you are eligible.

Details

Application deadline: Early bird deadline (CLOSED) and Standard deadline 15 July 2020

Focus areas: Cultural Heritage, Crime and Security

Location: American University of Rome, Italy

Organizing institutions: UNICRI & AUR

Dates: 7-11 September 2020

Duration: 5 days

Course information

The course will provide participants with a substantial understanding of heritage crime and how heritage organizations, law enforcement entities, and judicial systems are responding to the issue. The course curriculum will include the following topics:

• Protection of cultural property: the international legal framework
• Battling with looting
• Understanding criminal trafficking networks
• Tourism security plans: the importance of the preservation of cultural heritage
• Armed conflicts, peacebuilding and the protection of cultural heritage
• Preserving museums and heritage sites
• Heritage and stability policing
• Building communities and upholding development through cultural heritage

The Summer Course will mix theory-based lectures with roundtable debates, pressing case studies, and practical exercises. The faculty will consist of leading scholars and academics from AUR and other universities, as well as heritage professionals and security experts from the United Nations system, international and non-governmental organizations, and civil society.

Course benefits

In the unparalleled learning environment available to participants, they will have the opportunity to interact with internationally renowned professionals, meet peers, and develop sustainable professional relationships with young professionals and students from across the world. Moreover, this intensive experience nurtures intercultural dialogue and promotes a more profound understanding of the most obvious issues confronted by the international community with respect to cultural heritage, crime, and security.

Certificate of participation

Upon full attendance of the lectures and completion of the course, participants will receive a United Nations and John Cabot University certificate of completion.

Entry requirements

The course is developed for university graduates in the fields of Law, Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Social Science, Cultural Heritage, and other related disciplines. It also addresses young professionals working in governmental institutions, local authorities, international and non-governmental, cultural, and heritage organizations looking to broaden their understanding of cultural heritage crime issues.

So, applicants must satisfy the following minimum requirements:

• Possess a three-year university degree issued by an internationally known university in one of the disciplines mentioned above;
• Have a pretty good working-level command of English.

Applications from scholars who expect to graduate at the end of the 2019/2020 academic year will also be eligible for it.

Further information

Those applicants requiring a VISA (important) are recommended to apply as soon as possible.

Upon receipt of the tuition fee, the UNICRI Administrative Office will provide enrolled applicants with an acceptance letter. Similarly, it encourages chosen participants to immediately contact the nearest Italian Embassy/Consulate to obtain detailed information on the VISA procedure and necessary documents.

Registration Fees

• Standard applicants: 1,100 Euro

Registration fees do not cover additional costs such as those related to travel, meals, housing, and VISA. Please note to provide proof of payment to the organizers via email address.

Cancellation and Refunds

As UNICRI general policy, in the case of cancellation of your participation, registration fees will not be repaid for any reason, including Visa denial and health issues.

Note: due to the current exceptional circumstances, however, a full refund of the registration fees will be guaranteed should the cancellation be related to the COVID-19 crisis (i.e. health issues of the applicants or spouse/registered partner/children or parents, official travel restrictions imposed by the Government of the country of origin or of Italy, cancellation of flights by the air carrier…). Evidence of such ground should be presented when requesting the refund.

Timeline

Details of accommodation

Accommodation is available as per the following arrangement:

• Single room – 8-night accommodation (5 – 13 September 2020) at the American University of Rome’s apartments.
• Accommodation Fees: 300 Euro/person

Prices are only for single rooms in shared apartments. All costs shall be paid beforehand upon registering online.

Participants interested in reserving accommodation at the American University of Rome’s apartments are cordiallly invited to fill in the relevant part (Section G) in the application form within the deadlines hereunder.

• Accommodation Application Deadline: 31 July 2020
• Accommodation Payment Deadline: 10 August 2020

Check-in and check-out:

• Check-in: Saturday 5th September 2020 from 9.00am to 5.00pm
• Check-out: Sunday 13th September 2020

Check-in and check-out other than these timeframes and days are not permitted and there is no option to prolong the stay at the end of the programme.

All applicants need to provide AUR with their arrival flight information in order to coordinate the check-in and a photocopy of their passport/ID (photo page) upon confirmation of acceptance and room availability.

Please do not purchase any flight/train ticket before receiving the approval of the Summer Course Administrative Office.

How to apply?

To apply for the course, please complete and send the application form to the given email address by the deadline.

Submission email: unicri.courses@un.org

For more information, please refer to the UNICRI website.