Safeguarding our Heritage for our Grandchildren – can UNESCO help?

UNESCO Declarations and ConventionsHeather Peters, UNESCO Bangkok

Cultures around the world are threatened by globalization, modernization and irresponsible developmentCan UNESCO play a role?

UNESCO Tools Designed to Safeguard our Heritage

1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (http://whc.unesco.org/en/convention)2001 Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (www.unesco.org/culture) 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (www.unesco.org/culture/ich/

UNESCO World Heritage Convention

Most famous UNESCO convention. Adopted on 16 November 1972. Significance: the cultural and natural sites found within national boundaries were significant not just to their own national heritage, but to the heritage of the world.Important, but government driven – communities do not nominate sites

Criteria

Represent a masterpiece of human creative genius

Exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town planning or landscape design;Bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or has disappeared; Be an outstanding example of a type of building or architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history;

Criteria

v. Be an outstanding example of a traditional settlement or land use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change;

vi. Be directly or tangibly associated with events of living traditional; with ideas or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance;

vii. Contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and esthetic importance;

Criteria

viii. Be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth’s history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features;ix. Be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals;x. Contain the most important and significant natural habitats for the in-

conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding university value from the point of view of science or conservation

World Heritage – a Benefit or a Threat to Heritage?

Issues at Stake– Popular destination vs. fragility of destination– Glory and fame of World Heritage inscription

vs. no money from UNESCO– Tourism as one of few means to generate

income

Concerns in Living Historic Towns

The living, traditional ways of life are threatened by tourism developmentLocal inhabitants can easily become side-lined from benefits of tourismThe increased costs of site maintenance are not compensated by increased revenues from tourist industry

Tourism Development and Preservation: contradiction at World Heritage Sites

World Heritage

Shift to Living Cultural Heritage

Growing awareness that most dimensions of human culture are intangible; for example, cultural practices, knowledge systems, religion, different forms of creativity (music, dance, painting, etc)Led to the Declaration on Cultural Diversity (2001) and the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003)Combined with the recognition of complex linkages between bio-diversity and cultural diversity

Declaration on Cultural Diversity

Unanimously adopted by the 31st session of the General Conference of UNESCO, Paris, 2 November 2001– Was adopted shortly after the events of 9/11 when the world

reacted in horror at the conflict between cultures.– It raised cultural diversity to the level of the “common heritage of

humanity” – as necessary for humankind as biodiversity is for nature.

Reaffirms that culture should be regarded as the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group, and that it encompasses not only art and literature, but ways of life, value systems, traditions and beliefs.

12 Articles: Declaration on Cultural Diversity

Cultural Diversity is the common heritage of humanityCultural Diversity leads to Cultural PluralismCultural Diversity is a factor in developmentThe defense of Cultural Diversity is inseparable from a commitment to human rights. Cultural rights are an integral part of human rights

1. For example, all persons have the right to express themselves in language of their choice

12 Articles: Declaration on Cultural Diversity

6. Ensure free flow of ideas and access for all to cultural diversity by safeguarding linguistic heritage and promoting linguistic diversity

7. Cultural heritage is the wellspring of creativity8. Recognize the rights of authors, artists etc. 9. Cultural policies are catalysts of creativity10. Strengthen Capacities for creation and dissemination

worldwide11. Build partnerships between public sector, private sector

and civil society12. UNESCO has a role to play

Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Adopted in 2003Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) is transmitted from generation to generation and is constantly recreated by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history, and provides them with a sense of identity and continuitySafeguarding means guaranteeing its visibility and continuity – this includes identification, documentation research, preservation, promotion and transmission.

Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage

What are its objectives:– Safeguard ICH– Ensure respect for the ICH of communities,

groups and individuals– To raise awareness at the local, national and

international levels of the importance of ICH

Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) includes:– Oral traditions and expressions including

language– Performing arts– Social practices, rituals and festive events– Knowledge and practices concerning nature

and the universe– Traditional craftsmanship

Oral traditions and Performing Arts

Social Practices and Festive Events

Rituals; knowledge and Practices concerning Nature

Traditional Craftsmanship

Traditional Artisans

Role of Communities

Importance of the ICH Convention is the role of the COMMUNITYGovernments do not define ICH – the community doesPart of the process is for communities to do an inventory

Education and Awareness Raising