Workshop on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Palau (Koror, 23-25 February 2010)

Building on ongoing national efforts and cultural policy

• © BAC
• Minister of Culture charing session

Worlshop on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Palau held in Koror in February 2010

Although Palau is a young member among UNESCO Member States, its commitment to the preservation of cultural heritage is well-known for its policy for cultural resource management, namely, its Historical and Cultural Preservation Act. This Act covers both tangible and intangible heritage and includes a provision relating to a living human treasure system.

A National Workshop on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Koror, Palau, from 23-25 January 2010, was thus a timely event to identify a linkage between the ongoing national efforts and UNESCO’s international programme in particular opportunities offered by the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Workshop was sponsored by the Bureau of Arts and Culture (BAC), Palau Historic Preservation Office and the Palauan National Commission for UNESCO.
　

Multi-stakeholder discussions

The Workshop was inaugurated by high officials of the Palauan authorities. It has brought together some fifty participants involved in the safeguarding of ICH including a representative of the Council of Traditional Leaders as well as experts from civil society, NGOs, the Community College, the tourism agency, etc.
The presentations by national experts made at the Workshop were diverse and rich in substance, testifying to the solid platform that already exists in the country for the safeguarding of ICH.

Following the presentation given by the Director of the Apia Office, Dr Pongi, on key aspects of the formulation of a strategy and action plan, participants have had lively discussions on how to enhance the implementation of the existing legal basis in Palau.

UNESCO Apia Office plans to organise similar workshops in those coountries in the Pacific that have had expressed interest in hosting such activities in 2010 with the assistance of the UNESCO/Japanese Funds-in-Trust.

• Source:UNESCO Apia
• 26-02-2010

• © BAC - Poster on ICH produced by BAC
• © BAC - Workshop participants