13.3 The role of UNESCO in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage

UNESCO's efforts to safeguard intangible cultural heritage are crucial for preserving diverse musical traditions worldwide. From oral traditions to performing arts, these non-physical aspects of culture provide communities with a sense of identity and continuity, fostering respect for different ways of life.

The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage established an international framework for protection. Through various initiatives, UNESCO raises awareness, provides financial support, and implements capacity-building programs to ensure the preservation of these vital cultural elements for future generations.

UNESCO and Intangible Cultural Heritage

Concept of intangible cultural heritage

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• Intangible cultural heritage encompasses non-physical aspects of culture transmitted through generations including oral traditions, performing arts (music, dance, theater), social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge about nature and universe, and traditional craftsmanship
• Characterized by oral transmission or imitation, constant recreation by communities adapting to changing environments, provides sense of identity and continuity to groups and individuals
• Promotes cultural diversity fostering respect for different ways of life, strengthens social cohesion by connecting communities to their history, contributes to sustainable development through traditional knowledge and practices
• Faces challenges from globalization homogenizing cultural expressions, urbanization disrupting traditional lifestyles, migration separating people from their cultural roots

UNESCO's safeguarding initiatives

• Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003) established international framework for protection ratified by over 175 countries committing to safeguarding efforts
• Created Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists: Representative List showcasing diversity, Urgent Safeguarding List for at-risk elements, Register of Good Safeguarding Practices sharing successful methods
• Implements capacity-building programs through training workshops teaching documentation techniques, developing safeguarding plans, engaging youth in cultural transmission
• Provides International Assistance offering financial support for community-led projects, technical expertise for inventory-making and audiovisual documentation
• Organizes awareness-raising initiatives like World Day for Cultural Diversity (May 21), publishes best practices and case studies highlighting successful preservation efforts

Criteria for UNESCO's heritage list

• Element aligns with Convention's definition demonstrating intergenerational transmission, providing communities with sense of identity and continuity
• Inscription contributes to visibility and awareness promoting intercultural dialogue, reflecting global cultural diversity
• Safeguarding measures elaborated with community involvement in planning and implementation, including strategies for preservation and transmission (documentation, education programs)
• Nomination process ensures widest possible participation of community through free, prior, and informed consent, active involvement in preparing nomination files
• Element included in regularly updated national or regional inventory of intangible cultural heritage

Impact of UNESCO's preservation efforts

• Increased global recognition of diverse musical traditions through media coverage of inscribed elements, development of cultural tourism focused on intangible heritage (Kora music of Senegal, Mariachi music of Mexico)
• Enhanced local pride and cultural identity leading to revitalization of endangered musical practices, strengthened intergenerational transmission of knowledge and skills
• Improved documentation and research creating comprehensive archives and databases, fostering collaboration between communities and ethnomusicologists
• Economic benefits for communities through development of cultural industries (instrument making, music festivals), sustainable tourism opportunities
• Policy changes integrating intangible heritage in education curricula, developing cultural policies supporting traditional music preservation and promotion
• Challenges include risk of "freezing" evolving traditions, potential for commercialization affecting authenticity of practices