What policies is UNESCO employing to protect the cultural heritage?

UNESCO protects the cultural heritage by means of:

• standard-setting activities (concerning the preparation and implementation of international legal instruments, and acting as Secretariat in that regard);
• technical and scientific assistance, and support for training and capacity-building;
• policies to combat illicit trafficking and for the return and restitution of cultural property;
• preservation, safeguarding, rehabilitation and conservation measures (assistance for developing conservation tools and techniques, and museums, stressing the concept of access and the role of museums as places of exchange and education);
• policies to promote, educate, raise awareness and inform aimed at the general public and professionals.

The UNESCO Database of National Cultural Heritage Laws is one of the tools to promote, raise awareness and inform the general public and professionals in pursuance of the protection of the cultural heritage.