Presentation delivered by Ms. Juliette Hopkins, Associate Programme Specialist, Living Heritage Entity, UNESCO

1. Intangible cultural heritage and emergencies
14th Annual meeting of the south-east European experts network on intangible cultural heritage, 26 June 2020
©Song Shuixian
© Walter Würtl/LO.LA* Peak Solutions GmbH, 2016

2. ICH and emergencies in the 2003 Convention
For more information: https://ich.unesco.org/en/emergency-situations-01117

3. Ongoing reflections at Intergovernmental Committee meetings of the 2003 Convention
24 June 2020
© UNESCO
2017 (12 COM)
examined the
results of activities
undertaken by the
Secretariat
pointed to a future
direction that
privileges
community-based
needs
identifications
(document ITH/17/12.COM/15;
Decision 12.COM 15)
2018 (13 COM)
requested the
Secretariat to
organize an expert
meeting to
transform the
knowledge and
experience acquired
into methodological
guidance
2016 (11 COM)
underscored the dual
nature of ICH in
emergencies
requested the
Secretariat gather
more knowledge and
experience
(document ITH/16/11.COM/15;
Decision 11.COM 15)
2019 (14 COM)
endorsed the
operational
principles and
modalities for
safeguarding
intangible cultural
heritage in
emergencies
(document LHE/19/14.COM/13
Rev., Decision 14.COM 13)
(document ITH/18/13.COM/11;
Decision 13.COM 11)

4. Defining methodological guidance for the
safeguarding of ICH in emergencies
21 experts + observers
Key documents
- background document (document LHE/19/EXP/2 )
- meeting report (document LHE/19/EXP/5)
- summary records (document
LHE/19/14.COM/INF.13)
Expert meeting on ICH and emergencies, UNESCO Headquarters, May 2019
26 June 2020
 Operational principles and modalities for
safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in emergencies
endorsed by Committee in 2019 (document
LHE/19/14.COM/13 Rev.)

5. 6 overarching principles
+ action-oriented modalities
organized around 3 stages : preparedness,
response and recovery
Operational principles and modalities for safeguarding ICH in emergencies
26 June 2020
• No one-size-fits all approach
• Respond to conflict and disaster situations
• Emphasise dual nature of ICH in emergencies
• Underscore usefulness of community-based needs
identifications and approaches
• Relevant to wide range of stakeholders
Participatory identification of ICH-related needs of Syrian refugees (HEF, 2016) Post-Disaster Needs Assessment in Dominica (HEF, 2017)

6. Guidance on how best to safeguard and
engage ICH in emergencies, in line with the
2003 Convention
Operational principles and modalities (2)
26 June 2020
• Methodological basis for implementing practical projects
• Platform to sensitize stakeholders on issues at stake for ICH in
emergencies
• Contributes to UNESCO’s action to protect culture in
emergencies
• Enhance synergies with other Culture Conventions
Participatory identification of ICH-related needs in Vanuatu (HEF, 2018) Post-Disaster Needs Assessment in Mozambique (HEF, 2019)

7. UNESCO’s support for safeguarding ICH in emergencies

8. Emergency International Assistance (ICH Fund)
26 June 2020
• For activities aimed at safeguarding ICH as defined
in the Convention
• Examined and approved by Bureau of the
Committee, regardless of the amount (OD 50)
• Examples include Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Vanuatu,
Niger, Colombia
• USD 988,416 disbursed since 2013
More information: https://ich.unesco.org/en/requesting-assistance-00039
Intangible cultural heritage as a basis for resilience, reconciliation and construction of
peace environments in Colombia’s post-agreements (Colombia, 2018-2020)

9. • Multi-donor and non-earmarked
• Rapid, flexible
• Cross-cutting, holistic approach to culture
• Conflicts and disasters
• For emergency preparedness and response
• 15 activities on ICH in 2016-19
UNESCO’s Heritage Emergency Fund
26 June 2020
More information: https://en.unesco.org/themes/protecting-our-heritage-and-
fostering-creativity/emergencyfund2
Participatory identification of ICH-related needs in Lombok, Indonesia (HEF, 2019)

10. • Representative List, Urgent Safeguarding List,
Register of Good Safeguarding Practices
Enhance the visibility of elements that contribute to
preparing for, responding to and recovering from the
effects of disasters and/or conflicts
• Urgent Safeguarding List
Enhance visibility and call the attention of the
international community to elements particularly
threatened by a disaster or conflict
Listing Mechanisms of the 2003 Convention
26 June 2020
Avalanche risk management (Austria - Switzerland)
Explore the Convention’s Lists through ‘Dive into intangible cultural
heritage’ https://ich.unesco.org/en/dive

11. • Guidance note on inventorying intangible cultural
heritage, updated to include disaster risk awareness
• New capacity-building materials on ICH and disaster risk
reduction in final stages
• Future capacity building work on ICH and conflict,
including forced displacement
Capacity Building
26 June 2020
Post-Disaster Needs Assessment in Haiti (HEF, 2016)Post-Disaster Needs Assessment in Laos (HEF, 2018)

12. UNESCO’s culture and COVID-19 response

13. UNESCO Culture Sector Response
26 June 2020
1. Communication, advocacy and awareness raising
2. Impact assessment of the cultural sector and support for
public policies
3. Support for artists, culture professionals and communities
4. Capacity building and resources to safeguard cultural
heritage
UNESCO developed an action plan
focusing on four key pillars
More information: https://en.unesco.org/covid19/cultureresponse Online meeting of Culture Ministers, April 22

14. Share your #LivingHeritage experience
26 June 2020
Link to Platform
Link to Survey

15. Responses received so far
26 June 2020
To date 260+ responses received 86 countries
Europe
42%
Asia Pacific
25%
Latin
America
and
Caribbean
20%
Arab
States
9%
Africa
4%
Bearer /
practitioner
28%
NGO
24%
NGO
accredited
16%
University /
researcher
16%
Museum
8%
National
authority
8%
图表标题

16. Snapshot on Southeast Europe
26 June 2020
16 responses 9 countries

17. Thank you
Learn more: unesco.org
@UNESCO
26 June 2020
https://ich.unesco.org/
Juliette Hopkins, Associate Programme Specialist
ju.hopkins@unesco.org