1. National Capacity-Building Workshop on the Implementation of the
Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
Reiko YOSHIDA
Intangible Cultural Heritage Section
UNESCO
Maputo, Mozambique
19-20 September 2008
UNESCO
INTANGIBLE
HERITAGE
SECTION

2. UNESCO UNESCO: founded November 1945
Paris based, under control of permanent delegations; some 45 field offices
Mandate: contributing to international cooperation, and bridging gaps,
in the fields of Education, Sciences, Culture and Communication,
as a laboratory of ideas, standard setter, clearing house and capacity builder .

3. Heritage: from outstanding monuments to collective traditions and expressions
I tenori, Italy

4. Early development of cultural heritage policies within UNESCO
1966—the Declaration on the Principles of International Cultural Cooperation
“each culture has a dignity and value which must be respected and preserved, and that every people has the right and duty to develop its culture and that all cultures form part of the common heritage belonging to all mankind.”
Devastations by WWII
Development of policies
for cultural heritage
Monuments confirm the
promoted past
The effort—
concentrated
on the tangible aspects
of the cultural heritage
Birth of the Convention concerning the
Protection of the World Cultural and
Natural Heritage

5. Early development of cultural heritage policies within UNESCO (cont’d)
1960/70s: Dominant & non-dominant communities turn to living heritage for confirmation of present-day identities
1970/80s: Harmonious development of communities asks for balanced management of – new term -ICH
1982, the World Conference on Cultural policies Mondiacult (Mexico city)
“The cultural heritage of a people includes the works of its artists, architects, musicians, writers and scientists and also the work of anonymous artists, expressions of the people’s spirituality, and the body of values which give meaning to life. It includes both tangible and intangible works through which the creativity of that people finds expression: languages, rites, historic places and monuments, literature, works of art, archives and libraries.”

6. Early development of cultural heritage policies within UNESCO (cont’d)
Did not meet expected results due to…
Its non-binding character
Absence of funds, too much focus on documentation and research, not enough involvement of practitioners
Recommendation on the Safeguarding of Traditional Culture and Folklore
1998—Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
Feasibility study—concluded that a new legal instrument is necessary
2003 –the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

7. The Culture Sector Core functions: Advocacy Normative Clearing house
Capacity building
International cooperation
Programmes:
World Heritage
Intangible Heritage
Museums and cultural objects
Cultural policies
Cultural industries :
Biennial sectoral priority 1: promoting cultural diversity through the safeguarding of heritage in its various dimensions and the enhancement of cultural expressions
Biennial sectoral priority 2: Promoting social cohesion, by fostering pluralism, dialogue of cultures and the establishment of a culture of peace
Kabuki, Japan
Extracts from UNESCO's Draft Programme , Scenario MAJOR PROGRAMME IV General Conference, Thirty-third Session - PARIS 2005 
Programme activities will be developed in line with three of UNESCO’s core functions (i.e. advocacy, capacity-building, standard-setting) through heritage protection, rehabilitation and safeguarding, through the effective implementation of cultural policies and through the development of sustainable cultural industries in Member States.
Major Programme IV builds on advances made in the recognition of cultural diversity for the sustainable development of peoples and societies, placing emphasis on a holistic approach to the protection and safeguarding of cultural heritage in all its forms, tangible and intangible. The principal priority for the biennium – promoting cultural diversity, with special emphasis on the tangible and intangible heritage to which it is proposed to continue to assign 62% of the overall amount of resources devoted to programme activities excluding cross-cutting theme projects – highlights the domain in which UNESCO’s cultural action demonstrates pertinence, recognized expertise, comparative advantage and visibility.

8. UNESCO Conventions and cultural diversity
1954: Convention for the Protection of Cultural Properties in the Event of Armed Conflict
1970: Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property
1972: Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage
2001: Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage
2003: Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)
2005: Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions

9. Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
Created in 1997
Proclamations in 2001, 2003, 2005
90 Masterpieces have been proclaimed in all
No new Proclamations will be organised
Masterpieces located in States Parties to the Convention will be inscribed in the List of the Convention in Nov. 2008
Zápara People, Ecuador-Peru

10. The ICH Convention Adopted: October 2003
Open for ratification since November 2003
Ratified by 30 States: 20 January 2006
Entered into force: 20 April 2006
Ratified now by 101 States
The Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah Epic, Egypt
Vietnamese Court Music
Nha Nhac
The Cultural Space of Sosso-Bala in Nyagassola, Guinea

11. Defining ICH:
Expressions and practices, knowledge and skills that
are recognised by communities, groups, and in some cases individuals, as forming part of their cultural heritage
are living, transmitted from generation to generation and constantly recreated
are crucial for the sense of identity and continuity of communities and groups
are in conformity with human rights (+ sustainable development)
The definition also includes objects and spaces that are associated with manifestations of ICH
Concerning the qualifying, also called intrinsic criteria, the experts referred to the definition of intangible cultural heritage given in article 2.1 of the Convention and recalled that elements proposed for listing must be
recognised by the communities, groups, and in some cases individuals, as forming part of their cultural heritage;
living, thus transmitted in a span of time and constantly recreated, and crucial for the identity and sense of continuity of the community or group. Concerning the extrinsic criteria, or procedural criteria, proposed ICH elements must comply with requirements such as the enhancement of the diversity of the Representative List
the preparation of a safeguarding plan (or system), the submission following a nomination format,
the inscription on a national representative list (tentative list). The experts considered that the extrinsic criteria should also be used as burdens of proof or thresholds in order to limit the number of inscription and keep the lists manageable.
Proof must be given that the element submitted for inscription:
is considered by the community, group or, if appropriate, the individuals concerned as part of their cultural heritage;
provides the community or group involved with a sense of identity and continuity, based on shared experience and collective memory;
is rooted in the community or the group in which it is continuously transmitted and recreated;
would enhance, by being inscribed on it, the diversity of ICH on the List,
thus reflecting cultural diversity worldwide and testifying to human creativity;
is already inscribed on a National Representative List that complies with all relevant criteria established for selection for the Convention’s Representative List ;
is submitted with the prior and informed consent of the community, group, or, if applicable, the individuals concerned and that it/they has/have participated  at all stages of processes of identification, definition, documentation and nomination;
is being effectively safeguarded through appropriate means and measures, or may be effectively safeguarded by means of a well elaborated and feasible plan for safeguarding.

12. Domains Oral traditions and expressions Performing arts
Social practices,
rituals and festive events
Knowledge and practices
concerning nature
and the universe
Traditional craftsmanship
The Traditional Music of Morin Khuur
Mongolia
To be worked on by IGC:
Traditional games and plays,
Places of memory
cuisine
The Convention states that the ICH is manifested—inter alia—in the following domains
Oral traditions and expressions including languages as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage;
Performing arts (such as traditional music, dance and theatre);
Social practices, rituals and festive events;
Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe;
Traditional craftsmanship.

13. Goals
Safeguarding ICH: ensuring its viability (continued enactment and transmission) within communities/groups
Awareness-raising
Sharing and celebrating
Dialogue, respect for cultural diversity
International cooperation and assistance

14. Safeguarding: ensure the viability14

15. Role of States Parties
Take necessary measures to ensure safeguarding (= ensure the viability of ICH)
Identify and define elements of intangible heritage, with participation of communities, groups and NGO’s
The Garifuna Language,
Dance and Music, Nicaragua

16. National Safeguarding Measures
Inventory making
Adopt a general safeguarding policy
to promote the function of ITH
to integrate safeguarding into planning programmes
Establish competent safeguarding bodies
Foster studies and research methodologies
Shashmaqom Music
Tajikistan - Uzbekistan

17. National Safeguarding Measures (2)
Adopt legal, technical, administrative and financial measures:
training institutions for intangible heritage management and transmission
ensure access to intangible cultural heritage with respect to customary practices
establish documentation institutions
The Gbofe of Afounkaha:
the Music of the Transverse trumpets and the cultural space of the Tagbana Community
Côte d'Ivoire

18. Education, awareness-raising, capacity building
ensure recognition of and respect for intangible heritage
inform the public of dangers threatening intangible cultural heritage
promote education for protection of natural spaces and places of memory
Gbofe of Afounkaha: the Music of the Transverse trumpets
and the cultural space of the Tagbana Community, Côte d'Ivoire

19. Obligations of States Parties ICH inventory(ies)
States Parties are committed to safeguarding the ICH present on their territory, starting by its identification, leading to one or more inventories.
Community, groups to be involved
Access to be regulated
To be regularly updated
To be spoken about tomorrow

20. Mechanism of the Convention
General Assembly of States Parties
Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding
Practices reflecting the principles and objectives of the Convention
Fund for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
International assistance and cooperation
The 2003 Convention, the fifth legal instrument adopted by UNESCO for the protection of the cultural heritage, is designed to ensure respect for the intangible cultural heritage, and to raise awareness about its importance. The Convention also will bind its States Parties to take measures at the national level in order to ensure the viability of their intangible cultural heritage, and will encourage them to cooperate at regional and international levels for this same purpose.
The 2003 Convention proposes safeguarding measures such as definition, identification, documentation, research, preservation, protection, promotion, enhancement, transmission (particularly through formal and non-formal education), as well as revitalization of the various aspects of the intangible heritage. Among the measures to be taken at the national level, the Convention highlights the need to identify, define and inventory the various elements of the intangible cultural heritage present in a State Party’s territory, with the participation of communities, groups and relevant non-governmental organisations.
The 2003 Convention establishes
a General Assembly of States Parties;
an Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage initially composed of representatives of 18 States Parties;
the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity;
the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding;
a Fund for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage.

21. General Assembly Sovereign Body of the Convention
Ordinary session every two years, and in extraordinary sessions
Elects the members of the Committee
Approves the Operational
Directives for the
implementation of the
Convention
27-29 June 2006: 1 GA
9 November: 1 EXT GA
16-19 June 2008: 2 GA
The General Assembly of States Parties
Article 4 of the Convention states that the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention is the sovereign body of the Convention. It shall meet in ordinary session every two years, and it may meet in extraordinary session if it so decides, or at the request either of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, or of at least one third of the States Parties. The General Assembly shall adopt its Rules of Procedure and it will discuss and eventually approve the documents that the Committee will prepare on its behalf.
The Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah Epic, Egypt

22. Intergovernmental Committee
24 Members
4-year term, renewal of half of the members every 2 years
Membership: determined by equitable geographical representation and rotation
Members to send experts as their
representatives
Algeria: 1 COM (Nov.2006)
China: 1 EXT COM (May 2007)
Japan: 2 COM (Sept. 2007)
Bulgaria: 2 EXT COM
(Febr. 2008)
Istanbul: 3COM
(Nov. 2008)
The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
The Committee is the organ that will implement the Convention. The Committee will, for example, examine the requests submitted by the States Parties for inscription on the Lists and for the granting of international assistance. The Committee, which will be assisted by UNESCO’s Secretariat, will probably meet once a year.
The first Committee will be composed of representatives of 18 States Parties. The States Members of the Committee shall be elected for a term of four years, and every two years the General Assembly shall renew half of them. There is one exception: the term of office of half of the States Members of the Committee to be elected at the first election is limited to two years. A State Member of the Committee may not be elected for two consecutive terms. The election of States Members of the Committee shall not only obey the principle of rotation, but also that of equitable geographical distribution.
This first Committee will be especially important, since it has the crucial task of preparing the first set of Operational Directives for the implementation of the Convention. The members of the first Committee will thus have the important responsibility of giving the new Convention its orientation. Other major functions of the Committee are listed in Article 7 of the Convention.
The Art of Akyns, Kyrgyz Epic Tellers Kyrgyzstan

23. Functions of the Committee
Prepare Operational Directives for implementation
Implement the Convention
Examine requests for:
inscription on the Lists
Article 18
international assistance
Make recommendations on safeguarding measures
Seek means of increasing its resources
Examine periodic reports of States Parties
The Pansori Epic Chant
Republic of Korea

24. Intergovernmental Committee composed of 24 members
Group I: Cyprus, Italy, Turkey
Group II: Belarus, Croatia, Estonia, Hungry
Group III: Cuba, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru,
Zenezuela
Group IV: India, Republic of Korea, Viet Nam
Group V (a): Central African Republic,
Gabon, Kenya, Mail, Niger,
Zimbabwe
Group V (b): Jordan, Oman, United Arab
Emirates

25. The Lists Representative List of the ICH of Humanity
List of the ICH in Need of Urgent Safeguarding
Criteria for inscription
Prepared by the Committee
Adopted by the General
Assembly in June 2008
REPRESENTATIVE LIST OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HUMANITY
Inspired by the success of the List created under the World Heritage Convention, and by that of the Proclamation of Masterpieces, the Convention establishes its Representative List. This List will have a major role in ensuring better visibility of the intangible cultural heritage, in increasing awareness of its significance and also in encouraging dialogue that respects cultural diversity.
LIST OF INTANGIBLE HERITAGE IN NEED OF URGENT SAFEGUARDING
The Intergovernmental Committee shall also establish, keep up to date and publish a List of Intangible Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. The Committee, when drawing up the criteria for inscription on this List, will have to determine when an element of the intangible cultural heritage will be considered as “in need of urgent safeguarding” and under what conditions it can be inscribed on this List.
Criteria for selection for inscription on the Lists: The Convention refers to the future Intergovernmental Committee for the elaboration of these criteria. The raw material for these criteria can be found in the Convention’s definition of ICH and elsewhere in the text of the Convention.
Experts meeting on Selection Criteria (December 2006):
The experts felt that a distinction should be made between intrinsic or qualifying criteria as determined in the definition of ICH given in article 2.1, and extrinsic or procedural criteria that oblige to comply with technical or administrative aspects as further to be developed in the Operational Directives that will guide the implementation of the Convention.
Besides, elements proposed for listing also need to comply with other prerequisites of the Convention as established in its Preamble and article 2. Two of these threshold requirements were explicitly identified: an element that is to be proposed for inscription (i) has to fall within one or more of the domains of ICG as recognized by art. 2.2 of the Convention and (ii) must be compatible with international human rights instruments
The Garifuna Language,
Dance and Music, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua

26. Criteria
REPRESENTATIVE LIST OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HUMANITY
Inspired by the success of the List created under the World Heritage Convention, and by that of the Proclamation of Masterpieces, the Convention establishes its Representative List. This List will have a major role in ensuring better visibility of the intangible cultural heritage, in increasing awareness of its significance and also in encouraging dialogue that respects cultural diversity.
LIST OF INTANGIBLE HERITAGE IN NEED OF URGENT SAFEGUARDING
The Intergovernmental Committee shall also establish, keep up to date and publish a List of Intangible Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. The Committee, when drawing up the criteria for inscription on this List, will have to determine when an element of the intangible cultural heritage will be considered as “in need of urgent safeguarding” and under what conditions it can be inscribed on this List.
Criteria for selection for inscription on the Lists: The Convention refers to the future Intergovernmental Committee for the elaboration of these criteria. The raw material for these criteria can be found in the Convention’s definition of ICH and elsewhere in the text of the Convention.
Experts meeting on Selection Criteria (December 2006):
The experts felt that a distinction should be made between intrinsic or qualifying criteria as determined in the definition of ICH given in article 2.1, and extrinsic or procedural criteria that oblige to comply with technical or administrative aspects as further to be developed in the Operational Directives that will guide the implementation of the Convention.
Besides, elements proposed for listing also need to comply with other prerequisites of the Convention as established in its Preamble and article 2. Two of these threshold requirements were explicitly identified: an element that is to be proposed for inscription (i) has to fall within one or more of the domains of ICG as recognized by art. 2.2 of the Convention and (ii) must be compatible with international human rights instruments
Criteria and nomination procedure have been approved by the General Assembly in June 2008

27. The Fund: International Assistance
International Assistance (Tokyo, September 2007):
Safeguarding of heritage inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List
Preparation of inventories
Programmes, projects and other activities in the States Parties (incl. capacity building)
Preparatory assistance
Article 25: Nature and resources of the Fund
A “Fund for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage”, hereinafter referred to as “the Fund”, is hereby established. The Fund shall consist of funds-in-trust established in accordance with the Financial Regulations of UNESCO. The resources of the Fund shall consist of:
- contributions made by States Parties;
- funds appropriated for this purpose by the General Conference of UNESCO;
- contributions, gifts or bequests which may be made by:
other States;
organizations and programmes of the United Nations system, particularly the United Nations Development Programme, as well as other international organizations;
public or private bodies or individuals;
any interest due on the resources of the Fund;
funds raised through collections, and receipts from events organized for the benefit of the Fund;
any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations, to be drawn up by the Committee.
The use of resources by the Committee shall be decided on the basis of guidelines laid down by the General Assembly. The Committee may accept contributions and other forms of assistance for general and specific purposes relating to specific projects, provided that those projects have been approved by the Committee.
No political, economic or other conditions which are incompatible with the objectives of this Convention may be attached to contributions made to the Fund.
Congos of Villa Mella
Dominican Republic

28. Features of the Convention
Introduces a list system for visibility and safeguarding; other main focus on programmes and projects
Deals with heritage representative for communities (not of outstanding universal value)
Emphasis on living heritage, enacted by people, often collectively, mostly transmitted orally
Attention for processes/conditions rather than products
Role of communities/groups
Contribution to promotion of creativity and diversity, to well-being (of communities and groups and societies at large) and peaceful development
plus beauty sharing en samen verantwoordelijk

29. 101 ratification as of 1 September 2008
Algeria
Mauritius
Japan
Gabon
Panama
China
Central African Rep.
Latvia
Lithuania
Belarus
Republic of Korea
Seychelles
Syria
United Arab Emirates
Mali
Mongolia
Croatia
Egypt
Oman
Dominica
India
Viet Nam
Peru
Pakistan
Bhutan
Nigeria
Iceland
Mexico
Senegal
Romania
Estonia
Luxembourg
Nicaragua
Cyprus
Ethiopia
Bolivia
Brazil
Bulgaria
Hungary
Iran
Belgium
Jordan
Slovakia
Moldova
Turkey
Madagascar
Albania
Zambia
Armeria
Zimbabwe
Cambodia
The former
Yugoslav Rep. of Macedonia
Morocco
France
Cote d’Ivoire
Burkina Faso
Honduras
Tunisia
Sao Tome and Principe
Argentina
Philippines
Burundi
Paraguay
Dominican Republic
Spain
Kyrguzstan
Mauritania
Greece
Lebanon
Norway
Azerbaijan
Saint Lucia
Costa Rica
Venezuela
Niger
Cuba
Monaco
Djibouti
Namibia
Yemen
Indonesia
Mozambique
Kenya
Italy
Belize
Saudi Arabia
Uzbekistan
Ecuador
Guinea
Georgia
Colombia
Sri Lanka
Portugal
Ukraine
Chad
Sudan
Switzerland
Lesotho
Qatar … ….

30. INTANGIBLE HERITAGE SECTION E-mail: r.yoshida@unesco.org
1, rue Miollis
75732 Paris Cedex 15
France
Tel: (0)
Fax: (0)
UNESCO
INTANGIBLE
HERITAGE
SECTION

31. ICH Definitions, Domains and Communities

32. Definitions: article 2
The “intangible cultural heritage” means the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated therewith – that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage.
This intangible cultural heritage, transmitted from generation to generation, is constantly recreated by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history, and provides them with a sense of identity and continuity, thus promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity.
For the purposes of this Convention, consideration will be given solely to such intangible cultural heritage as is compatible with existing international human rights instruments, as well as with the requirements of mutual respect among communities, groups and individuals, and of sustainable development.

33. Key points
Intangible heritage gives us an opportunity to celebrate aspects of heritage (practices, ideas) that were not included in the traditional western model of great buildings and artworks
It is not separate from ‘tangible’ heritage, as it can include the meanings associated with material objects and places. World Heritage Convention could cover places that are significant for their ICH.
Definitions of intangible heritage place great value on the significance of the heritage to communities, groups or individuals who practice that heritage.

34. Aspects of heritage value
Practising communities
Social value: a sense of belonging trust and mutual respect valuing the group (ubuntu)
Economic value: community development tourism
Heritage professionals and institutions (e.g. museums)
Government
Intrinsic value: engaging with our past
Adapted from Hewison & Holden 2006

35. Why is ICH important?
ICH is important because it provides practising communities with a sense of ‘identity and continuity’ – practising it is a responsibility to the group, and may be integral to its well-being
Thus, ICH can, but does not have to be:
practiced by everyone, even within a community
available to everyone, even within the community
known to everyone, outside the community (and layers of knowledge within the community)
significant to everyone, outside the community

36. ICH in context
ICH is not important just because of the objects, or the rituals themselves, but because of what lies behind them – their meaning for the practicing community over the generations
ICH can be used / applied in other cultural contexts, but in so doing it may gain other values (including monetary ones) and other meanings
Change and communication between various cultural practices is positive, but so long as we do not lose the core significance of the ICH

37. Domains: article 2
oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage;
performing arts;
social practices, rituals and festive events;
knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe;
traditional craftsmanship

38. Inclusions and exclusions
Prioritisation generally extended to:
ICH threatened by colonisation / political marginalisation
ICH threatened by globalisation
ICH that reflects national / regional identity
Main exclusions:
organised religion (but could be included under (d))
language (except as a vehicle for ICH)
human rights violations (process for decision-making?)
environmental non-sustainability (process for decision-making?)

39. Key points
The ‘domains’ of the Convention provide a very broad framework for defining ICH at a national level: this provides flexibility for communities to define their ICH.
The main problem is deciding what to inventory and what to fund at a national level, and what to list at an international level.
Because communities define their own ICH it is better for governments or heritage managers to restrict what gets funded or prioritised for funding rather than what gets defined as ICH.

40. Community
Communities are networks of people whose sense of identity or connectedness emerges from a shared historical relationship that is rooted in the practice and transmission of, or engagement with, their ICH;
Link between defining heritage, minority identities and land claims
Defining the boundaries of communities: recent and political inclusion and exclusion of community members
Choosing representatives: the unequal nature of access to knowledge and power within communities

41. Role of the community
The practicing community is the key point for heritage recreation. They have to be involved in the inventorying and listing processes, and in heritage management.
Who ‘owns’ the heritage and what does ‘ownership’ mean?
Who has the right to speak for the community?
Who should define its meaning?

42. Safeguarding Measures: Promotion, Documentation, Research, Education, Revitalization

43. SAFEGAURDING ICH
Safeguarding of ICH is different to TCH because we are essentially dealing with conserving human knowledge and practice rather than their products.
To start we need to come back to the question of definition. What is ICH and what are we safeguarding?

44. Safeguarding The Convention gives domains and Definitions.
For Safeguarding measures it is important to remember that the focus of conservation in ICH is the know-how or knowledge rather than the product of the knowledge. Hence ‘ the ‘intangibility’; the focus on 'people' and 'transmission.

45. Safeguarding
However safeguarding the know how can also mean the necessity to safeguard places and/or things (materials objects etc…).
Makonde sculpture (Mozambique/Tanzania)

46. Important also to note that change does not necessarily mean the ICH is lost or distorted, change can be a sign that a culture is vibrant.
Cannot ‘freeze’ ICH -- safegaurding measures should not seek to do so.

47. Safeguarding
Within a specific expression of ICH, there are often specific elements of the process which are the important elements to safeguard.
Identifying these ‘core’ elements/processes is crucial for safeguarding measures.
For a sculpture it may be the specific carving technique, or the choice of material, or the story behind the sculpture, or the ceremony in which the object is to be used, that is the most important element.

48. Safeguarding
Since the focus of heritage safeguarding is the knowledge/practice, the issue of inter-generational transmission is vital in safeguarding measures for all domains of ICH.

49. Threats? They may vary according to What are the main threats?
Types of ICH,
Specific social,political or economic contexts of concerned communities Global issues

50. Threats? Some common threats:
Lack of income generation can lead to abandonment of certain practices expressions.
Loss of political or economic significance of a particular practice due to development, emerging market economy or political structures of nation states
ie. Traditional rulers lose their power-base and so no longer prepared to invest in all the ‘hard and expensive work’ for a particular ceremony
Lack of valorization or pride in the culture among younger generation

51. Threats? Education Rural to urban, or international migration
Can have a double negative effect: The time at school means that children are not learning ‘at home’. But also the fact that schools ignore traditional forms of cultural knowledge gives the subliminal message that ‘these are worthless’.
Yet education also vital for safeguarding
Rural to urban, or international migration
development and globalization- however also offers opportunities for revitalization when migrants retain and/or adapt cultural forms
Spread of world religions or of secular/humanist world views.
Sometimes actively opposed to all forms of ICH so converts abandon all practices and destroy objects and artefacts.

52. Threats? Tourism Wars, extreme poverty, disease.
can lead to loss of meaning or form ( folklorization)
but also can help generate income and revitalization.
Wars, extreme poverty, disease.
Environmental degradation
but also certain approaches to environmental conservation which may seek to exclude people from their ancestral lands for the creation of ‘conservation zones.

53. Threats?
The variety of threats highlight the need to take an integrated/holistic approach in the planning of safeguarding measures.
One cannot focus on a specific expression as if it exists independently of its social, political, economic or environmental context.
Some issues beyond the scope of heritage practitioners however government can identify and mitigate against some of the bigger picture threats

54. Safeguarding Several approaches to the question of safeguarding
Specific types of cultural expression (a dance, a crafting technique, a ritual etc, oral expressions etc…) may need different ways of safeguarding.

55. Safeguarding
Mechanisms of knowledge transmission may have radically different cultural frameworks- work with those that are appropriate.
For example the variation in sensitivities surrounding specific cultural expressions and the issue of custodianship (secret knowledge, gender specificities, age-based specificities - ritual initiations)
Consider the particular social, economic, political situation of concerned community or practitioner Colonized, at war, food shortage and or extreme poverty,
peri-urban, prevalence of new religious forms etc…

56. Safeguarding Documentation Research Education Revitalization
In General therefore the following actions can be taken in safeguarding ICH:
Promotion
Documentation
Research
Education
Revitalization

57. Safeguarding
However these may not be equal and the most important is the issue of continuity or revitalization.
Promotion, documentation and research should be undertaken with a view to ensuring or assisting the continued practice, the inter- generational transmission of know-how or the revitalization of the concerned cultural expression.

58. It is not enough to document, promote and research, but these activities should feed into actual practice.

59. Revitalization
Revitalization is an important element of safeguarding, and can be encouraged by Governments in a number of ways
Promotion or Valorization
Giving recognition to practitioner’s skills and competencies among the larger community, or on national level (ie. Awards, festivals, mass media, etc…).
People to feel pride in their ICH and through that interest in other’s ICH. May encourage some of the younger generation to make the effort to learn

60. Revitalization
Setting up of mechanisms for inter- generational transmissions
specialized training institutions (academies, schools etc…)
important to work with ‘mainstream’ schools
collaborations between custodian communities and researchers, heritage specialists or institutions

61. Revitalization
Assisting in income generating activities when appropriate (crafts, performing arts, appropriate forms of tourism)
Researchers to share their findings with communities who may wish to revive lost or nearly lost forms of expressions.

62. Documentation and Research
Although documentation and research are not enough, it is nevertheless true that they are very important components to the safeguarding of ICH.
The question of inventories is one of the main obligations of state parties to the Convention and will be discussed tomorrow.

63. Documentation and Research
Generally speaking four main tools of documentation of ICH : the written form, audio recordings, visual documentation (photographs and drawings) and audio-visual documentation.
Each has its own particularities: for example when filming, it is important to avoid disruptive crews associated with large productions

64. Documentation and Research
How and where to conserve documents- who has access?
Documentation can involve sensitive questions related to secret knowledge, or even just issues of ‘good manners’.

65. Documentation and Research
Research necessitates the establishment of trust between the custodians of ICH and the person documenting. Caution with ‘rapid survey’ type work since people tend not to reveal their knowledge to strangers.
Best to seek for people who have long standing relations with a particular community.

66. Documentation and Research
Even better is to train community members in basic documentation techniques so that they may document within their own communities.
Community museums and or cultural centers can play an instrumental role here.

67. Education and Training
Important to include reference to ICH in education manuals and curricula
Even if know-how is not detailed in formal education, when included it can stimulate interest.
Can help mitigate sense of alienation in schools

68. Education and Training
When possible important to consider ‘mechanisms of transmission’ as discussed earlier: classroom not always best context.
Non formal education

69. Characteristics of an Inventory
Goals in safeguarding
Participation of communities and groups concerned
Geographic and demographic scope
Domains and definitions
Comprehensive and consistent information
Updating

70. Outline for inventorying

71. 1. Identification of the element
1.1. Name of the element, as used by community or group concerned;
1.2. Short, maximally informative title;
1.3. Community(ies) concerned;
1.4. Physical location(s) of element;
1.5. Short description.
2. Characteristics of the element
2.1. Associated tangible elements (if any);
2.2. Associated intangible elements (if any);
2.3. Language(s), register(s), speech level(s) involved;
2.4. Perceived origin.
3. Persons and institutions involved with the element
3.1. Practicianer(s)/performer(s) - name(s), age, gender, social status, and/or professional category, etc.;
3.2. Other participants (e.g., holders/custodians);
3.3. Customary practices governing access to the element or to aspects of it;
3.3. Modes of transmission;
3.4. Concerned organizations (NGOs and others).
4. State of the element: viability
4.1. Threats to the enactment;
4.2. Threats to the transmission;
4.3. Availability of associated tangible elements and resources;
4.4. Viability of associated tangible and intangible elements;
4.5 Safeguarding measures in place.
5. Data gathering and inventorying
5.1. Involvement of the community/group in, and consent for data gathering and inventorying;
5.2. Restrictions, if any, on use of inventoried data;
5.3. Resource persons(s) - name and status or affiliation;
5.4. Date and place of data gathering;
5.5. Date of entering data into an inventory;
5.6. The inventory entry compiled by….
6. Reference to literature, discography, audiovisual materials, archives.
7. Other information
UNESCO/ITH, 12/10/06

72. 1. Identification Name of the element Short title Community concerned
Physical location of element
Short description

73. 2. Characteristics Associated tangible elements
Associated intangible elements
Language, register, speech level involved
Perceived origin

74. 3. Persons and institutions involved
Practitioners/performers
Other participants
(e.g., holders/custodians)
Customary practices governing access
to the element
Modes of transmission
Concerned organizations
(NGOs and others)

75. 4. Viability Threats to the enactment Threats to the transmission
Availability of associated
tangible elements and resources
Viability of associated
tangible and intangible elements
Safeguarding measures in place

76. 5. Data gathering and inventorying
Involvement of the community/group
Restrictions on use of inventoried data
Resource persons
Date and place of data gathering
Compiler data

77. Reference to literature, discography,
audiovisual materials, archives

78. International Assistance: Purposes
Priority is given to requests for international assistance concerning:
FORM ICH-04
the safeguarding of the heritage inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List;
the preparation of inventories in the sense of Articles 11 and 12;
support for programmes, projects and activities carried out at the national, sub-regional and regional levels aimed at the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage;
FORM ICH-05/FORM ICH-06
(d) preparatory assistance.

79. International Assistance: Selection Criteria
Decisions on granting assistance will be made following criteria:
Involvement of communities, groups and/or individuals concerned
the preparation of the request
the implementation of the proposed activities, and
their evaluation and follow-up
Appropriate requested amount
Feasibility of the proposed activities
Sustainability
Cost sharing with the submitting State Party
Capacity building in the field of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage
The Committee will base its decisions on granting assistance on the following criteria:
The community, group and/or individuals concerned were involved in the preparation of the request and will be involved in the implementation of the proposed activities, and in their evaluation and follow-up as broadly as possible;
The amount of assistance requested is appropriate;
The proposed activities are well conceived and feasible;
The project may have lasting results;
The beneficiary State Party shares the cost of the activities for which international assistance is provided, within the limits of its resources;
The assistance aims at building up or reinforcing capacities in the field of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage;
The beneficiary State Party has implemented previously financed activities, if any, in line with all regulations and any conditions applied thereto.

80. International Assistance Procedures (1)
Is the request conformity with:
Purposes
Forms
Criteria
of the international assistance?
Yes
Use FORM ICH-05
or FORM ICH-06
Yes
Is this request
for preparatory assistance? No
Use FORM ICH-04 No
Is the amount of the request
over USD 25,000? No
Is the request
for emergency assistance?
Yes
Less than USD 25,000
Submit anytime
Submit on or before 30 April
Yes
Is the request submitted
on or before the deadline?
Submit anytime
Yes No
The request will be
evaluated in the next cycle.
Is all information required
submitted?
A specific timetable for
evaluation will be established
on a case-by-case basis

81. International Assistance Procedures (2)
Can the request have been
completed 4 weeks before
the scheduled evaluation? No
Is all information required
submitted?
Yes
Is the amount of the request
over USD 25,000?
Yes No
Yes
It may be completed
for a subsequent evaluation. No
Examiners shall provide
a report on their examination
and a recommendation
The Bureau of the Committee
evaluates the request.
The Committee
evaluates the request.
Informed the decision
within two weeks
Approved
Project implementation
Monitoring,
reporting and evaluation.
A contract is established.