
Communities have a fundamental role in the continuous protection and safeguarding of ICH, specifically in the areas of transmission and sustainable practice. As recognized by UNESCO 2003 Convention, communities are central in maintaining the vitality and sustainability of living heritage. Furthermore, the Convention emphasizes community participation in identifying and defining ICH elements. NGOs are also recognized as critical actors for successful heritage safeguarding and interaction with communities. UNESCO-accredited NGOs are perceived to be competent in the ICH field to act in an advisory capacity to the Intergovernmental Committee.
NGOs communicate with communities at the grassroots level, where government resources often fail to extend. They act as important intermediaries between governments and communities to advocate increased community interests. Thus, building networks with NGOs strengthens engagement with communities and contributes to establishing ICH safeguarding schemes based on community needs. In this regard, ICHCAP builds the foundations of networks for community-related NGOs in the Asia-Pacific region to strengthen ICH transmission.
Main Activities
- Building networks among ICH communities, groups and individuals
- Building networks among ICH NGOs
- Publishing case studies on ICH safeguarding activities of NGOs
Target
- ICH related communities, groups, individuals, NGOs, and others
Partner Organizations
- ICH NGO Forum, National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage of Korea, Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation, Dangjin City of Korea, UNESCO New Delhi Office, UNESCO Apia Office, Banglanatak.com and others
Achievements
- Cooperative Projects for Safeguarding Tugging Rituals and Games in Asia (2013-)
- Asia-Pacific ICH NGO Conference (2014-, held every other year)
- 2014: Towards Efficient Roles of NGOs for Safeguarding ICH in the Asia-Pacific Region (June, Republic of Korea)
- 2016: Achieving SDGs through Safeguarding ICH (November, Republic of Korea)
- 2018: ICH NGOs towards Sustainable Development of Communities (November, Vietnam)
- 2020: ICH and Resilience in Crisis (November, Online)
- Expert Meeting for Building Network on Maritime ICH (2018-)
- 2018: International Symposium on Intangible Heritage along the Maritime Silk Road (September 13, Republic of Korea)
- 2019: Expert Meeting for Building Network on Maritime ICH Maritime Traditional Beliefs and Practice (November 21-22, Vietnam)
- 2020: Webinar Series on Maritime ICH Maritime Living Heritage – Building Sustainable Livelihoods and Ecosystems in the Asia-Pacific Region (October 29-30, Online)
- 2021: Webinar Series on Maritime ICH Coastal Communities’ Foods and Culture’ (Tentative, Online)
- Promoting traditional craft of women centered communities (2021)