Outline
The idea for the campaign came from discussions between Richard Allan MP, who has a background in archaeology, and David Hill, the Executive Director of the British Committee for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles. They felt that the Athens Olympics in 2004 provided a fresh impetus for raising the profile of the question of the return of the Marbles. The effort would be helped by creating an umbrella campaign which could bring together new people interested in the subject, especially younger people, with some of the long term supporters.
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Members
The campaign is being directed by a steering group that will be expanded to include new supporters over time. As an umbrella group, it aims to bring together supporters from many backgrounds and across the political spectrum.
Members of the steering group to date include Richard Allan MP, Nicky Artemi (Campaign Manager for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles), Dr Peter Derow (Ancient Historian at Wadham College, Oxford), David Hill (Executive Director of the BCRPM), Jerome Monahan (Journalist and educationalist), Matthew Taylor (Architect), Geoffrey White (Barrister and committee member of BCRPM), Clare Makepeace (Parliamentary Researcher), and Malcolm Wright (Internet Consultant). Advice has also been given to the steering group by members of the media and film industries.
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The prime objective of the campaign is to persuade the UK Government to make a commitment to enable the Parthenon Marbles to be displayed in Athens. Thus, reuniting the sculptures with the remaining 40% in Athens, to restore the unity of the monument. This commitment should be made before the Athens Olympics in 2004.
The campaign is not specifically asking for the Marbles to be physically returned before the Olympics, though this would be excellent if it were possible. It sees the physical return as being dependent on the preparation of a suitable home for the Marbles and will follow progress on the New Acropolis Museum. This should not, however, prevent a commitment in principle on the