The third meeting of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee led to the approval of four significant projects aimed at safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, with nearly $400,000 allocated to initiatives in Belize, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, and Sao Tome and Principe. These projects focus on community involvement and capacity building to document and preserve diverse cultural practices, highlighting a commitment to empowering local identities amidst global change.
In a significant meeting of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee, chaired by H.E. Ms. Nancy Ovelar de Gorostiaga, four ambitious projects received funding from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund, totaling nearly $400,000. These projects, focused on safeguarding living heritage, run through Belize, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, and Sao Tome and Principe, each designed to empower local communities with the knowledge necessary to document and preserve their unique cultural practices, particularly in the face of disaster and change. The Belize initiative seeks to harness local culinary traditions within a community framework, enhancing foodways documentation for sustainable development and disaster resilience. Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea’s focus on traditional dance vows to foster awareness about intangible heritage via training and participatory inventorying workshops. In The Gambia, the Kankurang rite, steeped in tradition and inclusion, is set to be safeguarded and celebrated through capacity building for local practitioners. Finally, Sao Tome and Principe embarks on a groundbreaking national inventory project, intending to create a framework for identifying and protecting its intangible cultural heritage for generations to come. This funding initiative marks a historic moment, as it is the first time that these three nations will benefit from International Assistance, reflecting an expanded reach of UNESCO’s support mechanisms. This movement particularly underscores the significance of providing resources to Small Island Developing States like Belize and Sao Tome and Principe to uphold their cultural identities amidst global pressures. The Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund serves as a vital lifeline, offering dedicated resources for a plethora of activities aimed at safeguarding cultural heritage, from community inventorying to emergency-based preservation efforts. The Bureau members, comprised of experts from countries like Germany, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam, emphasize a collaborative commitment to enhancing cultural sustainability across diverse landscapes.
The safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage has gained increasing attention globally, emphasizing the significance of cultural practices that are vital to communities but often overlooked. The Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund, established under UNESCO, aims to support projects that foster the documentation, transmission, and preservation of these diverse practices. The continual support from the Fund highlights its role not just in preservation but also in enhancing community resilience against disaster and change, a need increasingly urgent in today’s rapidly shifting world.
The latest projects funded by UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund are a resounding testament to the commitment to safeguard cultural diversity and practices across the globe. By investing in community-led initiatives in Belize, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, and Sao Tome and Principe, UNESCO not only strengthens local identities but also fortifies resilience in the face of challenges. Each project represents a harmonious blend of cultural pride, community empowerment, and sustainable development, laying the groundwork for future generations to cherish their intangible cultural heritage.
Original Source: ich.unesco.org
