Nor, of course, can UNESCO have anything except moral influence on armed groups, even though it is the guardian of a convention which mandates respect for cultural property during conflict.

ECONOMIST: UNESCO is better at naming enemies than finding friends

"This year of culture gives us an opportunity to show how we address in a positive way the challenges of creating a shared cultural space in a society that is still threatened at times by the shadow of violent conflict, " Ms Irwin said.

BBC: Peace wall in Belfast

It is the first international treaty of a vocation dedicated exclusively to the protection of cultural heritage in the event of armed conflict.

UNESCO: CYPRUS NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR UNESCO - Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict

Cultural diversity must be seen as a source of strength rather than a source of conflict.

UNESCO: Speech by Hon Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin During the 184th UNESCO Executive Board Meeting,

By framing the event in terms of a "rupture, " the authors are playing on the notion of cultural disconnect and intergenerational conflict that provides much of the defining vocabulary of 20th century Chinese history.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia | Young China | Flashback: It's Not All About Money

China is invoking a 1970 United Nations convention that protects nations small, weak or in conflict from having their cultural patrimony plundered by rich outsiders.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Lord Hall of Birkenhead, chair of the Cultural Olympiad, said that the UK "has a lot to offer the world" on conflict resolution, highlighting Northern Ireland as an example.

BBC: Olympic Games debate

That is not a recipe for a successful corporate career, and it's toxic when coupled with the cultural tendency to want to avoid conflict.

FORBES: Leadership