Readers in Thailand may be interested in this talk next week by Etienne Clément at the Siam Society:
Are Good Laws Enough to Protect National Treasures? The impact of legislations on cultural objects in the Mekong region
Speaker: Etienne Clément
Date: Thursday, 5 November 2020
Time: 19:00
Venue: The Siam Society
In his presentation, Mr Clément will relay the many ways in which a state’s national legislation prevents the theft and illicit export of national treasures or important cultural objects. The presentation will start with an overview of the international initiatives enacted since 1954 to promote collaboration between countries, in the form of Conventions and training. He will then detail the difficulties inherent in making these regulations effective, especially in the context of free global trade, including in South-East Asia. The presentation will include some of the observations Mr Clément made while working with concerned authorities in the Mekong region, and their efforts in making legislation more effective. The discussion will also present attempts by UNESCO and other national and international bodies to improve dialogue and communication between ministries in charge of cultural heritage on the one hand, and art dealers and collectors on the other hand. Beyond legislations and its effectiveness, Mr Clément will also share his views on museums in the Mekong region and their potential, not only in preventing the theft and illicit traffic of cultural objects, but also as educational institutions promoting the sharing of knowledge.
