Blue helmets' of culture set up in Rome to protect the world's artistic heritage. Minister of Foreign Affairs Paolo Gentiloni and Unesco Director General Irina Bokova have signed an agreement to create an Italian task force and a training centre in Turin. The "Unite for Heritage" task force will consist of specialised personnel (civilian experts and Carabinieri for the Protection of Cultural Heritage) and private citizens with recognised expertise in the sector.

Its task will be to assess the risks and quantify the damage to the cultural heritage, devise action plans and urgent measures, perform technical supervision, provide training courses for local staff, assist with the transport of movable objects to safe shelters and strengthen the fight against looting and the illegal traffic in cultural assets.

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Source: http://www.esteri.it/