On 1 October 2026, the seminar “Armed Conflicts and their Impact on Heritage”, organised by the Spanish Committee of ICOMOS, took place at the Institute of Military History and Culture in Madrid. RehabiMed, represented by its President, Xavier Casanovas, took part in the seminar, contributing its international experience and coordinating the closing discussion panel.
The seminar was intense and highly interesting, with contributions from the UME, the National Police, a public prosecutor and several experts in international cooperation. This provided an opportunity to highlight the multiple impacts that armed conflicts have on heritage: destruction, looting, illicit trafficking, and the loss of collective memory and identity, among others. These situations require consolidation and restoration, as well as social and psychological support for affected communities.
It was emphasised that preserving heritage does not mean putting buildings before people in a situation of crisis, but rather protecting the assets that people need to rebuild their lives, their identity, their memory and their future. Heritage provides continuity when everything else has changed and can act as a powerful catalyst for social cohesion and dialogue, helping to strengthen peace.
