MedLiHer Contribution to Implementing the Convention for Safeguarding of the ICH in Mediterranean Countries Phase II Evaluation Meeting Cairo – Egypt 28-30/11/2010

- The importance of cultural issues at both the governmental and non-governmental levels. - The significance of its culture for sustainable development and cultural dialogue.

MedLiHer assessment report (hereinafter AR) focused on the existing infrastructures, programs, actual activities, and experiences related to ICH among individuals, governmental departments and NGOs.

- Launching MedLiHer was the sparkle for drawing the attention of the leadership in Jordan to the importance and necessity of establishing an official body which would have the responsibility of gathering the scattered efforts in the field of ICH. -An action plan based on institutional efforts that depended on local consultants was carried out to set the guidelines to ensure Phase I implementation in the light of the documents approved by UNESCO.

- July 28, 2009: a steering committee headed by the Secretary General of JONATCOM and the membership of some experts from many cultural institutions and universities was formed. - March 22, 2010: A workshop was held in JOHUD on to prepare for the formulation of the national assessment. - Five major groups were formed headed by experts to gather information from the national institutions concerned with ICH.

- Information were gathered based on UNESCO's datasheets and the basic document that gives detailed explanations of items of both datasheets. - April 4, 2010: A second workshop was held on at the Ministry of Education to examine and assess the initial material gathered.

- April 8, 2010: A workshop has convened to discuss the reports delivered to the group coordinators. - June 2010: Under the patronage of HE the Minister of Education / chairman of (JONATCOM), and HE the Minister of Culture, a formal meeting was held to celebrate the accomplishment of the AR.

Some difficulties encountered, e.g.: 1) Insufficient information available in the Jordanian institutions and organizations surveyed. 2) Some of the administrative members of certain institutions were not aware of the concept of ICH.

The Impact of the AR at local and national levels -It has contributed on a considerable scale in improving the understanding of ICH among some stakeholders, e.g. NGOs and also GOs and govt. institutions. Most of them valued the efforts of the team for the material collected. -It has contributed on a considerable scale in improving the understanding of ICH among some stakeholders, e.g. NGOs and also GOs and govt. institutions. Most of them valued the efforts of the team for the material collected. -A Supreme Committee was recently established to determine standards for the inventorying of Jordan’s ICH, and also identifying the organizations and individuals working on ICH, as well as the actual practitioners and tradition bearers. - When Phase III comes to an end, I believe, there will be greater evolution of funding and responsibility by the government for improvement to NGOs and institutions concerned.

Highlights and Conclusions 1) official governmental interest in ICH issues. 2) the existence of certain potential institutions and organizations that contribute to ICH issues in different and divergent ways. 3) Jordanian laws and legislations can potentially be developed to deal with ICH issues.

Highlights and Conclusions 4) the lack of a central official organizational umbrella for ICH issues. 5) weaknesses in integrating cultural heritage issues into the national strategic plan. 6) awareness campaigns about the importance of ICH and its great value have not been carried out. 7) None existence of ICH academic programs at Jordanian universities;

Highlights and Conclusions 8) absence of Jordanian legislation for the protection and management of ICH. 9) a central entity responsible for documenting or inventorying ICH does not exist. 10) the lack of a database for listing and identifying the practitioners and researchers of ICH in Jordan. 11) overall organizational weakness resulting from minimal financial support and lack of coordination among the various entities, organizations and individuals with a vested interest in Jordan’s ICH.

Highlights and Conclusions 12) the weakness of ICH-related subjects infused into the school curricula, where Cultural Heritage studies remain focused solely on tangible heritage. 13) decreasing research interest makes it difficult to determine the appropriate solutions for the different problems facing the decline of a large sector of ICH in Jordan.

Issues/points to be considered by future Safeguarding and inventorying of ICH in Jordan, e.g. 1) commoditization 2) freezing, 3) distortion or manipulation of the country’s ICH. 4) different levels of participation among Jordan’s numerous social and ethnic communities, 5) and a concern for inclusivity while handling the ICH in Jordan.

Needs and national priorities: 1) Awareness Campaigns 2) National ICH Strategic Plan 3) ICH legislation 4) Inventory of ICH in Jordan by taking into consideration, i.e.: a) different levels of participation. b) Inclusivity of ICH elements vs. cultural diversity. c) levels of participation.

d) Inclusion or exclusion of certain aspects or elements of the intangible heritage e) Inappropriate use of ICH or access to it. f) The ethical problems.

Proposed pilot project !? Inventory of ICH in Jordan

Thank You