ICA/EGATTT 2025 Webinar Series on Theft, Trafficking, and Security (Webinar 1)

Biography: Eugenio Serrano Rodríguez has a degree in Humanities (University of Castilla-La Mancha), a doctorate in History and various master's degrees in Archival Studies, Digitization of Historical Heritage and Nobility Law, Heraldry and Genealogy. He is a member of the Specialized Group of Archivists, Librarians and Archaeologists of the Ministry of Culture in Spain. He works as Head of Organization and Standardization at the Historical Archives of the Nobility in the Ministry of Culture (General Sub-Directorate of State Archives). He is also a professor of Archives and Documentary Heritage at the University of Castilla-La Mancha. He joined the Expert Group against theft, trafficking and tampering (EGATTT) in 2023 and participates in several activities related to documentary heritage.

Abstract: The survey conducted during 2023-2024 aimed to assess the level of preparedness of organisations in safeguarding their archival collections. The primary objective was to determine whether institutions maintain a list of their most vulnerable objects and their locations in case of emergency. Additionally, the survey sought to understand if organisations have encountered theft-related incidents, particularly in storage and reading rooms, and whether they have established procedures to follow in such cases. Another key aspect examined was the extent to which institutions are familiar with relevant legislation and law enforcement mechanisms. Lastly, the survey investigated whether stolen items are systematically listed and publicly published, ensuring greater transparency and potential recovery.

Biography: Marlene López holds a law degree from American Technological University, which she obtained with honors. Deputy Director for the protection and restitution of the documentary heritage of the General Archive of the Nation of Mexico. She has been working at the institution for 11 years and has represented the institution before several national and international bodies, to take actions to prevent illicit trafficking of documentary heritage, as well as to protect the documentary collections preserved in public archives and recover those that were illegally stolen. Marlene is a member of EGATTT.

Abstract: The most complicated cases of recovery of documentary heritage that the Mexican State had to defend will be presented, in which successful results were obtained, such as the case of a receipt signed by Hernán Cortes and the Proclamation of Huejotzingo.

Biography: Ms Schneider has been involved, within the UNIDROIT Secretariat, in the elaboration of the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects and of the UNESCO-UNIDROIT Model Provisions on State Ownership of Undiscovered Cultural Objects and is responsible for their promotion and follow-up. She is the author of the Explanatory Report of the 1995 Convention and articles on the Convention and more generally on illicit trafficking in cultural property and synergies between international conventions. Ms Schneider is also responsible for the UNIDROIT Convention Academic Project (UCAP). Member of the Board of the International Society for Research on Art and Cultural Heritage Law. Member of the Scientific Committee of the Certificate in Advanced Studies on International Cultural Heritage Law (University of Geneva).

Abstract: The 1995 UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects represents a key milestone in the global effort to combat the illicit trade of cultural heritage. The presentation will explore how the Convention has effectively integrated provenance research as a central mechanism in strengthening national legal frameworks and international cooperation. By requiring the exercise of due diligence at the time of acquisition (research on provenance records), the Convention not only facilitates the identification and return of stolen or illegally exported objects but also fosters greater transparency and accountability in the art market. The presentation will examine the implications of these requirements on national legislations to protect documentary heritage, highlighting how countries have adopted the Convention’s provisions to enhance their legal tools for cultural protection. Understanding these frameworks can strengthen the importance of institutional safeguarding policies.

Biography: Arda Scholte is Chair of the Expert Group against Theft, Trafficking and Tampering of archives (EGATTT), established in 2018. EGATTT is part of the International Council on Archives. EGATTT provides a forum for high-level discussion and expert advice. We focus on prevention and awareness raising, we develop instruments and invest in co-operation with sister organisations like IFLA, ICOM and CERL, with law-enforcement (INTERPOL, WCO) and trade organisations. EGATTT underlines the strength of UNESCO’s and UNIDROIT instruments to protect documentary heritage. Arda is former chief inspector of the Netherlands Information and Heritage Inspectorate, a law enforcement organization. Besides the implementation of national laws on archives and heritage, the inspectorate is also responsible for the implementation of the UNESCO 1970 convention. Arda has fulfilled several management functions in the fields of heritage, youth and labour market policies. Arda has masters in art, education and social sciences.

Biography: Beth Kilmarx is the Assistant University Librarian of Special Collections and previously served as the Associate Dean of Special Collections. Before moving to Texas, she served as the Assistant Dean of Libraries for Assessment, Development and Technical Services at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania University Libraries (IUP).  Prior to IUP, Kilmarx was the Curator of Rare Books in the Special Collections department in the University Libraries at Binghamton University. She is a former member of IFLA’s Rare Books and Special Collections section and presently is a member of IFLA’s the Advisory Committee on Standards. She serves as a member of EGATTT (the Expert Group Against Theft, Trafficking, and Tampering), and co-chair of ALA/RBMS’s Security Committee.  Kilmarx is also the co-chair of the RBMS 2025 annual conference.  She received her BA in History from the University of Connecticut, her MA in Anthropology from Binghamton University, and her MLS in Library Science from the University at Albany.