The Blue Shield is the cultural equivalent of the Red Cross. It is the protective emblem specified in the 1954 Hague Convention (Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict) for marking cultural sites to give them protection from attack in the event of armed conflict. The Blue Shield network consists of organizations dealing with museums, archives, audiovisual supports, libraries, as well as monuments and sites.

The mission of all involved with Blue Shield is to work for the protection of the world's cultural heritage.

Blue Shield International consist of the International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS) and the Association of National Committees of the Blue Shield (ANCBS).

ICBS has consultative status with IFLA.