Extended Programme “Towards MONDIACULT 2025”

18 September 2025

As countries advocate for the return of looted or illicitly acquired cultural objects, questions of ethical stewardship, legal frameworks, and historical justice come to the fore. Repatriation is not only a technical or legal matter, but a deeply cultural one—embedded in collective memory, national identity, and post-colonial reconciliation.

In this context, cultural diplomacy serves as both a vehicle and a bridge: enabling states, institutions, and communities to negotiate returns, acknowledge past injustices, and build forward-looking partnerships. 
The event underscores the critical need to strengthen international cooperation and legal mechanisms to facilitate the return of looted or displaced cultural property, thereby preserving the memory, identity, and future of affected communities.

By including diverse perspectives from government, academia, and cultural institutions, the event will provide a rich, cross-sectoral space to examine policy innovation and practical pathways for action. The event will also contribute to shaping a coherent international framework for cultural repatriation, reflecting the evolving normative role of UNESCO and other multilateral bodies.