ABSTRACT
This chapter explains how the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) addresses cooperation and coordination with cultural heritage actors across the region and at the international level. It addresses UNESCO's approach to the physical reconstruction or rehabilitation of the cultural heritage in conflict zones and in post-conflict periods, highlighting its potential in restoring stability and building peace and social cohesion in the countries concerned. The chapter elaborates on the complexity of the work involved, detailing the wide array of disciplines it involves and the numerous challenges it raises, and ends with case studies taken from UNESCO's post-conflict reconstruction activities in the Middle East. UNESCO's work at the diplomatic level has included advocacy at the highest levels of the international community, notably at the United Nations Security Council, in order to raise awareness of the damage being done to cultural heritage across the Middle East in the present conflicts.
