Mediterranean Living Heritage
(MedLiHer)
Implementing the Convention for the Safeguarding
of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and the Syria
Paris, 25 and 26 May 2009
Fernando Brugman
UNESCO
Intangible Cultural Heritage Section
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 112 States:
The Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah Epic, Egypt
Egypt: 03.08.08 (ratification)
Jordan: 24.03.06 (ratification)
Lebanon: 08.01.07 (acceptance)
Syria: 11.03.05 (ratification)
Vietnamese Court Music
Nha Nhac
The Cultural Space of Sosso-Bala in Nyagassola,
Guinea
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
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are crucial for the sense of identity and continuity of communities and groups
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are in conformity with human rights (+ sustainable development)
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(belong to one or more of the relevant domains)
The definition also includes objects and spaces that are associated with
manifestations of ICH
Domains
• Oral traditions and expressions, including
language as a vehicle of the ICH
• Performing arts
The Traditional Music of Morin Khuur
Mongolia
• Social practices,
rituals and festive events
• Knowledge and practices
concerning nature
and the universe
• Traditional craftsmanship
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
Role of States Parties
The Garifuna Language,
Dance and Music, Nicaragua
• 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
National Safeguarding Measures
Shashmaqom Music
Tajikistan - Uzbekistan
• Inventory making
• Adopt a general safeguarding
policy
• Establish competent safeguarding
bodies
• Foster studies and research
methodologies
• Adopt legal, technical,
administrative and financial
measures
• Education, awareness-raising and
promotion
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
•
Programmes, projects and activities reflecting the principles and
objectives of the Convention
•
Fund for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
•
International assistance and cooperation
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 Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah Epic,
Egypt
Intergovernmental Committee
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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 (Feb. 2008)
Istanbul: 3 EXT COM (Nov. 2008)
ABU DHABI: 28/9-2/10 2009
The Art of Akyns, Kyrgyz Epic Tellers Kyrgyzstan
Functions of the Committee
• Prepare Operational Directives for
implementation
• Implement the Convention
The Pansori Epic Chant
Republic of Korea
– 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 Fund: International Assistance
• International Assistance:
– 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
Congos of Villa Mella
Dominican Republic
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
Implementation:
Operational Directives
• The Convention creates new mechanisms for the
safeguarding of ICH, but does not provide specific
instructions on how to implement them.
• The Operational Directives serve as guidance for
implementing the Convention
• The Convention requests the Committee to prepare
operational directives for the implementation of the
Convention and submit them to the General Assembly for
its approval
• First set adopted by the General Assembly in June 2008
Operational Directives
Contents
Contents
Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage
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Urgent Safeguarding List
Representative List
Incorporation “Masterpieces” into the Representative List
Programmes, projects and activities that best reflect the principles and
objectives of the Convention
Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund and International Assistance
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Guidelines for the use of the resources of the Fund
International assistance
Participation in the implementation of the Convention
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Participation of communities, groups and, where applicable,
individuals, as well as experts, centres of expertise and research
institutes
Non-governmental organizations and the Convention
Reports by States Parties on the implementation of the Convention
Urgent Safeguarding List
Representative List
Urgent Safeguarding List
Take appropriate safeguarding measures
for ICH in danger
Representative List
Ensure better visibility of the ICH and
awareness of its significance
Encourage dialogue which respects
cultural diversity
• No simultaneous inscription on the Urgent Safeguarding
List and Representative List
• An element could be transferred from one List to the other
when complying with all criteria of that List and following
the nomination procedure
• An element shall be removed from the Lists when it does
not any longer satisfy criteria
Criteria
List
Criteria
UL
RL
U.1
R.1
The element constitutes intangible cultural heritage as defined in Article 2 of the Convention for the
Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
X
X
U.2.
a) The element is in urgent need of safeguarding because its viability is at risk despite the efforts of the
community, group or, if applicable, individuals and State(s) Party(ies) concerned. (or)
b) The element is in extremely urgent need of safeguarding because it is facing grave threats as a result of
which it cannot be expected to survive without immediate safeguarding.
R.2.
Inscription of the element will contribute to ensuring visibility, awareness of the significance of the intangible
cultural heritage and dialogue, thus reflecting cultural diversity worldwide and testifying to human creativity.
U.3.
Safeguarding measures are elaborated that may enable the community, group or, if applicable, individuals
concerned to continue the practice and transmission of the element.
R.3.
Safeguarding measures are elaborated that may protect and promote the element.
U.4. R.4.
The element has been nominated following the widest possible participation of the community, group or, if
applicable, individuals concerned and with their free, prior and informed consent.
U.5. R.5.
U.6.
X
The element is included in an inventory of the intangible cultural heritage present in the territory(ies) of the
submitting State(s) Party(ies).
In cases of extreme urgency, the State(s) Party(ies) concerned has (have) been consulted regarding
inscription of the element in conformity with Article 17.3 of the Convention.
Adopted by the General Assembly at its second session (June 2008)
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Two Lists: Nomination procedure
Urgent Safeguarding List
1. Preparatory Assistance
Representative List
Deadline: 1 September
2. Preparation/Submission
Community involvement in the preparation of their nomination
Multi-national nominations
Evaluate the nomination as quickly as
possible after its submission
May be brought to the attention by any
other State Party, by the community
concerned or by an advisory organization.
Extreme urgency
3. Examination/Recommendation
• Conformity with the inscription criteria
• The viability of the element and
the feasibility and sufficiency of
the safeguarding plan.
• Subsidiary body
• Conformity with the inscription criteria
• The risk of its disappearing
4. Evaluation/Decision
If not inscribed
No resubmision: 4 years
Two Lists
For inscription in 2009
Urgent Safeguarding List
Deadline for the submission
15 Mar 2009
Number of files received
15
Representative List
Deadline for the submission
30 Sep 2008
Number of files received
111
Number of States submitting files
35
Number of multinational files
4
Article 18: Programmes, projects and
activities for the safeguarding of ICH
National, subregional and regional programmes, projects and
activities best reflecting the principles and objectives of this
Convention will be selected and promoted
Special attention is given to:
• the needs of developing countries
• the principle of equitable geographic distribution
Encourage submission of:
• subregional or regional programmes, projects and
activities
• programmes, projects and activities undertaken jointly by
States Parties in geographically discontinuous areas
• Proposals characterized by international cooperation
and/or focusing on specific priority aspects of safeguarding.
Programmes, projects and activities
Criteria
• Defined in Article 2.3 of the Convention
• Promote the coordination at regional, subregional and/or international
levels
• Reflect the principles and objectives of the Convention
• Demonstrate effectiveness in contributing to the viability of the ICH
concerned (completed)
• Demonstrate reasonable expectation for the contribution to substantially
to the viability (underway or planned)
• Implemented with the participation of the community, group or, if
applicable, individuals concerned
• Serve as a subregional, regional or international model
• Willing to cooperate in the dissemination of best practices
• Feature experiences that are susceptible to an assessment of their
results
• Applicable to the particular needs of developing countries
Timeframe
Preparatory
Assistance
Deadline for
submission
Decisions to
be taken
Article 18
USL
1 Oct 2008 (2009)
1 Sep 2009 (2010)
1 Sep 2010 (2011)
1 Oct 2008 (2009)
1 Oct 2008 (2010)
1 Sep 2009 (2011)
1 Mar 2009 (2009)
1 Mar 2010 (2010)
1 Mar 2011 (2011)
15 Mar 2009 (2009) 30 Sep 2008
31 Mar 2009 (2010) 31 Aug 2009
31 Mar 2010 (2011) 31 Aug 2010
September 2009
September 2010
September 2011
RL
Sep 2009
Sep 2010
Sep 2011
The Use of the Resources of
the Fund
Category of Expenditure
%
Jul 2008 to
Dec 2009
Jan 2009 to
Jun 2010
International assistance
70
1,347,346
449,132
Emergency assistance
8
153,988
51,329
Other functions of the Committee
3
57,746
19,249
Participation in the Committee sessions of Committee Members
from developing countries
5
96,243
32,081
Participation in the Committee sessions of
States Parties from developing countries
3
57,746
19,249
Cost of advisory services
4
76,994
25,665
Participation of public or private bodies
invited by the Committee
2
38,497
12,832
Reserve Fund
5
96,243
32,081
International Assistance
Purposes and Budget
International Assistance: 70%
336 849 + 112 283 x 4 = 1.796.528 USD
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•
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Safeguarding the heritage inscribed on the
Urgent Safeguarding List
Preparation of inventories
Support for programmes, projects and
activities
Preparatory Assistance
(17.5% x 4)
International Assistance
Selection Criteria
Decisions on granting assistance will be made on the basis of the
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
International Assistance
Deadlines
Type of assistance
Budget
DL of submission
Emergency Assistance
Any amount
At any time
Preparatory Assistance
< 25,000USD
1 September
>= 25,000USD
1 May
< 25,000USA
Any time
Other Assistance
Accreditation of NGOs
• NGOs that meet the criteria for accreditation may request
to be accredited to provide advisory services to the
Committee.
• Accredited non-governmental organizations may be
invited by the Committee to examine:
a. nomination files for the Urgent Safeguarding List;
b. the programmes, projects and activities mentioned
in Article 18;
c. requests for international assistance above 25 000
USD;
d. the effects of safeguarding plans for elements
inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List
• Requests for accreditation can be submitted at any time.
Accreditation of NGO
Current Situation
• At its third session (Istanbul, 4-8 November 2008) the
Committee examined requests that have been received in
complete form before 1 September 2008.
• At the Istanbul session, the Committee recommended 51
NGOs for accreditation by the General Assembly, and
invited them to participate at its next session.
• Requests for accreditation that are received after the
deadline will be examined by the Committee at its
following session (Abu Dhabi, September 2009).
• The list is not geographically balanced, for the time being.
• The modalities and methods of facilitating the contribution
of NGOs from developing countries will be discussed at
the next session.
Accreditation of NGO
Criteria
NGOs shall:
• Have proven competence, expertise and experience in
safeguarding intangible cultural heritage belonging
• Have a local, national, regional or international nature
• Have objectives in conformity with the spirit of the
Convention
• Cooperate in a spirit of mutual respect with
communities, groups, and, where appropriate,
individuals
• Possess operational capacities, including
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regular active membership
an established domicile and a recognized legal personality
existence for at least four years
UNESCO
INTANGIBLE HERITAGE SECTION
1, rue Miollis
75732 Paris Cedex 15
France
Tel: 00 33 (0) 1456 84168
Fax: 00 33 (0) 1456 85752
f.brugman@unesco.org
www.unesco.org/culture/ich