ICHCAP

The International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific region under the auspices of UNESCO (hereinafter ‘ICHCAP’) announced that Clifford Murphy, Director of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, visited ICHCAP on 24 November.

The visit followed his participation as a keynote speaker at the 2025 ACC International Academic Symposium, held from 20 to 21 November and co-hosted by ICHCAP and the Asia Culture Center (ACC), etc. Murphy’s keynote address examined the value of intangible cultural heritage and relevant policy directions from an international perspective.

ICHCAP and the Smithsonian Center signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2020 to broaden the foundation of intangible cultural heritage and enhance its public visibility, as well as to strengthen professional capacity through personnel exchange. During the meeting, the two institutions reviewed progress made under the MOU, discussed its renewal, and explored new joint initiatives to further strengthen cooperation.

Both institutions reaffirmed that international collaboration is becoming increasingly essential for safeguarding and transmitting the rich intangible cultural heritage of the Asia-Pacific region. Both sides assessed the visit as an important turning point in their partnership and agreed to further expand and to identify new pathways through joint research, publications, and personnel exchange.

ICHCAP stated that it will continue to work with professional organizations worldwide to build international networks for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage and to strengthen collaborative projects.