The 12th session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) is taking place from December 4-8, 2017 in Jeju, Republic of Korea, where around 1,000 people from 175 countries are expected to attend the six days of meetings to promote “the objectives of the Convention, provide guidance on best practices and make recommendations on measures for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage,” according to the UNESCO website.
Why is it important to safeguard ICH? Find your State’s answer here.
This Committee examines requests submitted by States Parties for the inscription of intangible heritage on the Lists as well as proposals for programs and projects, and is also in charge of granting international assistance. What is Intangible Cultural Heritage?
In conformity with the Committee’s Rules of Procedure, the Committee may authorize intergovernmental organizations, as well as public or private bodies and private persons, with recognized competence in the various fields of intangible cultural heritage, to attend its future sessions as observers, upon their written request. On December 4th, 2017, according to DECISION 12.COM 3, the Committee authorized the observer status of only three NGO’s, including the CIC.
“4. Furthermore, the Committee decided, by its Decision 11.COM3, to authorize the participation, as an observer, of the following organization:
– The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) in its twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth sessions.”
The CIC is honored to have been accepted as an observer organization and looks forward to attending these sessions.
Partner organizations of the CIC, such as FACE and IAF, have been already authorized to participate in the convention.