Understanding and Protecting Intangible Cultural Heritage

Introduction:

Intangible cultural heritage encompasses the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills that communities, groups, and individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. This course provides a deep understanding of intangible heritage, its significance, and strategies for its conservation and promotion.

Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants should be able to:

• Define and articulate the concept of intangible cultural heritage.
• Identify various forms of intangible heritage.
• Evaluate the role of intangible heritage in shaping cultural identity and fostering diversity.
• Develop strategies for safeguarding and promoting living heritage.
• Collaborate with communities to document and preserve intangible cultural heritage.

Training Methodology:

• Case Study Analysis
• Interactive Workshops
• Group Discussions
• Field Research Simulations
• Community Engagement Exercises
• Documentation & Preservation Projects
• Peer Review & Feedback Sessions
• Real-World Application Assignments

Course Outline:

Unit 1: Understanding Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)

• Definition & Scope of Intangible Heritage
• Distinction between Tangible & Intangible Heritage
• Forms/Categories/Types of Intangible Heritage
• Importance/Values of Intangible Heritage
• Role in Cultural Identity & Continuity
• Impact on Cultural Diversity & Creativity
• Societal & Economic Benefits
• Examples of Intangible Heritage: Oral Traditions, Performing Arts, Social Practices, Knowledge of Nature, Traditional Crafts

Unit 2: Documentation & Research Methods

• Fieldwork Techniques
• Ethnographic Methods
• Participatory Research
• Oral History Interviews
• Recording and Archiving Intangible Heritage
• Audio and Video Recording Techniques
• Digital Archiving
• Ethical Considerations in Documentation
• Case Studies: Successful Documentation Projects, Lessons Learned, Best Practices

Unit 3: Community Involvement & Empowerment

• Role of Communities in Heritage Preservation
• Importance of Community Involvement
• Collaborative Approaches
• Strategies for Community Engagement
• Workshops and Training Programs
• Awareness-Raising Campaigns
• Capacity Building Initiatives
• Case Studies: Community-Led Heritage Projects, Challenges, and Successes

Unit 4: Policy and Legal Frameworks

• International Conventions and Agreements
• UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Other Relevant International Frameworks
• National and Local Policies
• Developing and Implementing Heritage Policies
• Roles of Government vs. Non-Governmental Organizations
• Advocacy and Policy Development
• Strategies for Influencing Policy
• Building Networks and Coalitions

Unit 5: Strategies for Safeguarding and Promotion

• Education and Transmission: Formal vs. Informal Educational Programs, Role of Schools and Universities
• Cultural Tourism & Intangible Heritage: Sustainable Tourism Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities
• Media & Technology: Utilizing Digital Platforms to Promote Heritage, Social Media/Public Engagement
• Funding & Resource Mobilization: Identifying Funding Sources, Writing Grant Proposals, Building Partnerships