Date de création: 2008
Domaine(s):

- oral traditions and expressions
- performing arts
- social practices, rituals and festive events
- knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe
- traditional craftsmanship
- other
- 1) to promote the importance of local governments and their relationships with their communities as a fundamental tool in safeguarding and promoting ICH, 2) to formulate the cultural policies of local governments for sustainable development through safeguarding and promoting of ICH

Mesure de sauvegarde:

- preservation, protection
- promotion, enhancement
- transmission, (non-)formal education
- revitalization
- other
- As the core membership of the ICCN is comprised of local governments, the ICCN can play a leading role in implementing cultural policies within legislation to safeguard and promote ICH.

Pays principaux d'activité:

Afrique du Sud, Algérie, Cambodge, Canada, Égypte, Espagne, États-Unis d'Amérique, France, Grèce, Hongrie, Israël, Italie, Jamaïque, Nouvelle-Zélande, Philippines, République de Corée, Tchéquie

Objectifs:
The ICCN (Inter-City Intangible Cultural Cooperation Network) is committed to actionoriented policies concerning for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage, and agrees to:
1) promote the ICCN as a platform for the world-wide collaboration of mayors and local government units for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, as envisioned in the Gangneung Declaration of 2004;
2) use the ICCN in formulating and implementing informed and balanced developmental and cultural strategies and policies in which sustainable development and the safeguarding of intangible heritage rank as priorities among local governments;
3) abide and implement in its role the UNESCO Convention for the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage;
4) promote the relationship between local communities and local governments in regards
to the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, and to improve awareness as to why such relationships are fundamentally necessary;
5) utilize the ICCN as a means to meet the challenges of globalisation as then affect cultural diversity, and to preserve the cultural diversity of communities consisting of unique and invaluable local traditional cultures.

Based on these objectives, ICCN stipulates the following undertakings in the Statute:
1) to hold regular meetings to facilitate practical discussion, action plans, policies, and combined progress towards the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage;
2) to gather and share information concerning safeguarding activities;
3) to train local government administrators, professionals, and custodians to build safeguarding capacity;
4) to hold joint activities, such as the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival (with the first to be held in Gangneung, Korea in 2012) that aims at promoting the multiple aspects of education, transmission, and revitalization of the intangible cultural heritage, and sustainable local development.
5) to facilitate policies and action plans between local governments and their communities in relation to the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.
Activités:
1) International meetings
The ICCN organizes the bi-annual Round Table of Mayors, the bi-annual Thematic Workshop, and the annual meeting of the Board of Directors to encourage and facilitate practical discussion on ways to improve the work carried out in the member localities to safeguard and promote intangible cultural heritage. Through these meetings, members share experiences, formulate ideas, and adopt new policies relating to the safeguarding
and promotion of ICH.

- Round Table of Mayors
.2004 (1 sI session, Korea): .Agreed on the need of an international organization for safeguarding ICH by local govenments at the global level
.2008 (2nd session, Egypt): .Discussion on "The role of women in safeguarding of traditional cultural heritage"
.Official declaration of the ICCN founding
.Adoption of the ICCN Statute (based on 2005 Charter)
.2010 (3ro session, Czech Republic ): Discussion on "State/Local Government's approach to ICH and the cultural policies of countries around the world"
.1 st ICCN Youth Forum, along with Mayor's meeting to involve youth in the safeguarding activities
.2012 (4th session, Korea): .1 st Joint Festival(World Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival with the participation of members, NGOs, practicioners, youth, communities among member cities around the world

- Thematic Workshop of Local Government Administrators
.2005 (1 st session, Korea): .Draft of the Charter containing the creation of the ICCN
.Discussion on "Sustainable development, safeguarding the ICH, and promoting Inter-City Network"
.2006 (2nd session, Korea): .Discussion on "Safeguarding of ICH and participation of young people"
.2007 (3rd session, Hungary): .Discussion on "Safeguarding of the ICH by building the network"
.2009 (4th session, Jamaica): Discussion on "Local government at the forefront of preserving our ICHlThe definition of community and its capacity building by local governments"
.2011 (5th session, France): .Strengthening of associate members in the ICCN
.Detailed plan will be follow in due course.
.2013 (6th session, Italy): .Joint activities with the city of Naples for the Universal Forum of Cultures, which is the international festival aiming at city revival through the use of cultural assets

- Meeting of the Board of Directors
This will be held on an annual basis to work as a driving force by deciding major plans for the ICCN, support mutual exchange of experience and best practices of individual Member States and municipalities in the care of cultural property and its promotion, transfer of local intangible cultural heritage to the younger generation, and cooperation
with local communities and individuals-bearers of such heritage.

- International Advisory Committee meeting
Through the composition in the ICCN Round Table of Mayors to be held in the Czech Republic in 2010, this committee will function as a consultation with members, and will provide expert advice to assist the ICCN in achieving its objectives. Its membership will be comprised of internationally and nationally recognized experts. It also will provide, on request, advice to members on drafting local cultural policy focused on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.

- Youth Forum
It is an important task and the responsibility of local governments to nuture within young people an appreciation for, and an understanding of, the values associated with ICH.
Along with the Mayors' Meeting, the ICCN will organize a youth forum in cooperation with ICCN members in the Czech meeting in 2010. The Youth Forum will encourage local leaders to devise a legal and institutional framework for youth involvement in local contexts. This will contribute to the realization of the UNESCO Convention by building a greater awareness among the younger generation of the importance of ICH, and its need of safeguarding.

2) Cultural exchanges among members
The ICCN has been encouraging the exchange of folklore festivals and other cultural events among its members. The exchanges have been sucessfully accomplished among ICCN members. The Gannat Festival of France invited performers from Vlcnov of the Czech Republic, and Ifugao of the Philippines. The city of Gangneung of Korea invited cultural performers from the Philippines and Egypt during their annual festival.

The ICCN also encourages personal exchanges for sharing experiences relating to cultural policies in the development and safeguarding the ICH. As an example, Santa Fe (USA), one of the ICCN core members and a member of the Creative Cities
Network of UNESCO, participated in the international meeting hosted by Naples, another ICCN core member, to share their experiences in developing the city and its cultural heritage.

The ICCN considers such exchanges to be an important form of popularisation of the intangible cultural heritage of various communities and of learning about other nations. It is also believed that such exchanges contribute to the greater promotion of cultural diversity.

- Joint festival among members
The ICCN will hold a Joint Festival on a bi-annual basis, which aims at promoting education, transmission, and revitalization of intangible cultural heritage. The first one will be hosted by Gangneung, Korea in 2012.

3) Cooperation with international organizations/institutes
- Korean National Commission for UNESCO
The Korean Natcom has been a full partner with the ICCN since 2004, when the 1st Mayors' Meeting was oganized. It has continually played a crucial role in providing its expertise on the direction, policies of the ICCN. ICCN was a cooperative partner in the "International Forum on Common Intangible Cultural Heritage in East Asia" which was held in Korea in 2009. The ICCN meeting in the Czech Republic is under the auspieces of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO.
The ICCN organized an internation forum on the theme of "The Role of Culture, Administration and Business in Safeguarding and Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage" in 2009, in Gangneung, Korea.

-Czech National Commission for UNESCO
The ICCN meeting in the Czech Republic is taking place under the auspices of the Czech National Commission for UNESCO. This Commission plays a key role in the implementation of the Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Property.

-Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre for Asia and the Pacific in Korea (Category 2 Center of UNESCO)
ICCN and ICHCAP in Korea signed a MOU agreement in July 2008 for mutual cooperation for the safeguarding and promotion of intangible cultural heritage.

-COPPEM (Standing Committee of the Partnership of the Euro-Mediterranean Local and Regional Authorities)
COPPEM and ICCN signed a MOU agreement in the ICCN Round Table of Mayors in Egypt, 2008. COPPEM, an international organization with 106 members including local authorities in the Euro-Mediterranean region, has been cooperating in
disseminating the importance of ICH among its members and encouraging participation in the ICCN meetings. ICCN and COPPEM are the partners for organizing the Youth Forum and the ICCN Joint Festival.

The ICCN was a cooperative partner of COPPEM in 2009 in the "Intercultural Dialogue Night" which aimed at promoting an intercultural dialogue between traditional and modern cultures among Euro-mediterranean cities.

4) Publications
- Meeting reports
After each meeting, the ICCN issues booklets containing the presentation materials, speeches, and useful information to share with members, partners, and various institutes around the world.

- Newsletter
The Secretariat has been issuing newletters on a quarterly basis to share information among members, partners, and networks around the world.

- Promotional material
As a means of promoting cultural heritage of members, the ICCN produces various materials such as calendar, and post-cards.

5) The website can be found at www.iccn.or.kr

Additional information:

1) International meetings
ICCN organizes bi-annual Round Table of Mayors, bi-annual Thematic Workshop to encourage practical discussion on how to improve the work of the member localities to safeguard and promote ICH. Through the meetings, members share experiences, formulate ideas, and adopt new policies at the local context relating to ICH. It contributes to the promotion of ICH at the global level.

- Round Table of Mayors
.2004 (Korea): .Agreed on the need of an international organization for safeguarding ICH by local governments at the global level
.2008 (Egypt):
-Discussion on "The role of women in safeguarding of traditional cultural heritage"
-Official declaration of ICCN founding
-Adoption of the ICCN Statute
.2010 (3rd session, Czech Republic ): Discussion on "State/Local Government's approach to ICH and the cultural policies of countries around the world".
- Thematic Workshop of Local Government Administrators

.2005 (Korea):
-Draft of the Charter containing the creation of ICCN
-Discussion on "Sustainable development, safeguarding ICH, and promoting Inter-City Network"
.2006 (Korea): .Discussion on "Safeguarding of ICH and participation of young people"
.2007 (Hungary): .Discussion on "Safeguarding of ICH by building the network"
.2009 (Jamaica): Discussion on "Local government at the forefront of preserving our ICH/the definition of community and its capacity building by local governments"

- Youth Forum
The first Youth Forum was held with the participation of students from Canada, Czech, Algeria, Korea along with 2010 ICCN Round Table of Mayors in Czech Republic. After the 1st presentation of the youth forum to ICCN members, the forum was adopted as a regular program of ICCN. The 2nd Youth Forum will be held in Gannat, France in 2011. It is an important task and responsibility of local governments to raise within young people an appreciation for, and an understanding of, the values associated with ICH. The Youth Forum will encourage local leaders to devise a legal and institutional framework for youth involvement in local contexts. This will contribute to the realization of the UNESCO Convention by building a greater awareness among the younger generation of the importance of ICH, and its need of safeguarding.

2) Cultural exchanges among members
ICCN has been encouraging the exchange of folklore festivals and cultural events among members. ICCN considers such exchanges to be an important form of popularisation of intangible cultural heritage of various communities and of learning about other nations, and to contribute to the greater promotion of cultural diversity.
The Gannat Festival of France invited performers from Vlcnov of the Czech Republic, and Ifugao of Philippines. The city of Gangneung of Korea invited cultural performers from Philippines and Egypt during their annual festival.
ICCN also encourages personal exchanges for sharing experiences relating to cultural policies in the development and safeguarding ICH. Santa Fe (USA), the ICCN core member participated in the international meeting hosted by Naples to share their experiences in developing the city and its cultural heritage.

3) Cooperation with international organizations
- Korean National Commission for UNESCO
The Korean Natcom has been a full partner with ICCN since 2004, when the 1st Mayors' Meeting was organized. It has played a crucial role in providing its expertise on the direction, policies of the ICCN. ICCN was a cooperative partner in the "International Forum on Common Intangible Cultural Heritage in East Asia" that held in Gangneung, Korea in 2009. The 2010 ICCN meeting in the Czech Republic was under the auspices of the Korean Natcom.

-Czech National Commission for UNESCO
The ICCN meeting in the Czech Republic in 2010 took place under the auspices of the Czech National Commission for UNESCO.

-Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre for Asia and the Pacific in Korea(Category 2 Center of UNESCO)
ICCN and ICHCAP in Korea signed a MOU agreement in July 2008 for mutual cooperation for the safeguarding and promotion of intangible cultural heritage.

-COPPEM
As an international organization with 106 members including local authorities in the Euro-Mediterranean region, COPPEM is in full cooperation with ICCN in disseminating the importance of ICH among its members. ICCN was a cooperative partner in the "Intercultural Dialogue Night" that aimed at promoting an intercultural dialogue between traditional and modern cultures among Euro-mediterranean cities.

4) Publications
- Meeting reports
After each meeting, the ICCN issues a booklet that includes the policies of local governments, and this could be a guiding book for the local authorities to implement cultural policies at the local context.

- Newsletter
The Secretariat has been issuing a newsletter on a quarterly basis to share information among members, partners, and networks around the world.

5) The website can be found at www.iccn.or.kr
Coopération:
ICCN members are closely linked to their communities and can provide the legislative direction, financial aid, and human resources needed to safeguard and promote ICH. The members also provide local communities with logistic and moral support in their effors to safeguard intangible cultural heritage.

The ICCN aids in facilitating bridges between local governments and their communities, thus establishing a mutual cooperation in the safeguarding of ICH at the local level.

ICCN members have at their disposal an enormous wealth of experience in the field of care of local intangible cultural heritage and relations with the communities that are its bearers. This means that the ICCN offers expert assistance in this regard to the Intergovernmental Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Additional information:

ICCN members have at their disposal an enormous wealth of experience in the field of care of local intangible cultural heritage and relations with the communities that are its bearers. ICCN members are closely linked to their communities and can provide the legislative direction, financial aid, and human resources, logistic and moral support in the efforts to safeguard intangible cultural heritage. Here are some cases of member cities of ICCN;

1) Case of Ifugao, Philippines
As an UNESCO Representative List, the Hudhud chant shows an excellent example that reflects the cooperation between the local government, and communities. To transmit the hudhud to the younger generation, the government provides funds for a teaching program so that the old professional chanters can train the volunteer teachers who will be the one to teach young children. The local government is in close coordination especially with the chanters to document their hudhud chanters. These documentation projects are used to make teaching modules for children in the elementary and high school.

2) Case of Gangneung, Korea
As an UNESCO Representative List, Gangneung Danoje festival has been transmitted in cooperation between the local government, and communities. The Gangneung municipality provides administrative support, and partly financial resources to the communities. Also more than 80 communities participate in the organization of the festival. In this process, there is a NGO committee that coordinate the smooth communication and cooperation between the two parties. This cooperation could be dated back to 500 years ago, and has been kept up to now.

3) Case of Generalitat Valencia, Spain
The School Museum of Pusol was selected on the Register of safeguarding programmes, project and activities of UNESCO in 2009. In the process of the project into one of the most representative ICH activities in the region, the Regional Government , Generalitat Valencia, has played a key role in supporting the institution. Since 1992, its Department of Culture has granted subventions to cover particular museum program and projects, including inventory, equipment, restoration, and research. Since 1998, the Education Department has provided teachers, duplicating the school staff, to meet the challenges posed by the success and development of the pedagogic project.

Date de création: 2006
Domaine(s):

- oral traditions and expressions
- performing arts
- social practices, rituals and festive events
- traditional craftsmanship

Mesure de sauvegarde:

- identification, documentation, research (including inventory-making)
- preservation, protection
- transmission, (non-)formal education
- revitalization

Pays principaux d'activité:

République de Corée

Objectifs:
- To strengthen activity and human network for members
- To build the network for international mask arts & culture based on this organization
- To heighten culture related masks
IMACO aims to:
i) to keep in contact with people related to masks all over the world and region,
ii) to develop connection and friendships among member organizations,
iii) to inherit and develop mask arts & culture of each country based on the cultural diverse of UNESCO,
iv) to promote mask art activities all over the world.
Activités:
The activities of IMACO are:
(a) to arrange world mask culture heritage movie contents materials
(b) to work for making contents using IT skill such as 3D scanner
(c) to build a network system with world mask culture organizations, research centers, person
(d) to publish magazines for the variety of world mask culture
(e) to support world mask related festivals
(f) to support world mask related exhibitions
(g) to Support world mask related creative activity
Coopération:
The IMACO’s main mission is to foster international cooperation between relevant organizations of Mask Arts and culture for the exchange of information and knowledge concerning the safeguarding of tangible and intangible culture of Mask. The construction of a portal website will make it possible to create an international pool of Mask culture -related experts and authorities who will have the opportunity to exchange information online and access a variety of materials of mask culture.
IMACO futher aims to:
- Construct an international cooperative network among various stakeholders such as practitioners, experts and officials from the field of Mask arts and culture.
- Utilize the above network for carrying out joint programs, projects and research for the safeguarding of Mask arts and culture.

Date de création: 1980
Domaine(s):

- performing arts
- traditional craftsmanship

Mesure de sauvegarde:

- preservation, protection
- promotion, enhancement
- transmission, (non-)formal education
- revitalization

Pays principaux d'activité:

Inde, Mongolie, Viet Nam

Objectifs:
The Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation (CHF) was established, aimed at protecting and preserving Korea’s cultural properties, creatively enhancing, developing and utilizing its traditional lifestyle culture, and thereby promote the preservation and safeguarding of the national culture as well as the culture in Asia.
Since 1980, CHF has executed various projects that involve traditional ceremonies, arts, crafts, foods, performances, and exhibitions; diverse cultural experiences; educational and publishing activities; and tourism products, including the traditional wedding experience. CHF has conducted research projects involving excavation of cultural properties in order to continue and distribute the traditional culture of Korea as
widely as possible. Moreover, CHF has involved a number of projects for safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage among the Asia-Pacific countries.
Coopération:
Promotion and Enhancement:
1- Living Human Treasures' showcases and Permanent Exhibitions
The Living Human Treasures' showcase in particular craft work, organized by CHF is held annually every May to June by inviting elderly holders of Intangible Cultural Properties (Living Human Treasure), in order to display their art work, and learn about the skill lineage of a given intangible cultural heritage. The permanent exhibitions designed by CHF is held all the year round at the Important Intangible Cultural Heritage Transmitters' Centre, to encourage and promote the creative activities of the ICH holders, inform the public about Korea’s Intangible Cultural Properties system by highlighting government-designated Important Intangible Cultural Properties, and expand the traditional craftwork base through experience programs for
elementary, middle, and high school students.
2- Regional Intangible Cultural Heritage Events
CHF organizes the intangible cultural heritage events in the local provinces of Korea to increase interest in Important Intangible Cultural Properties among local residents and thereby contribute to safeguarding of national culture, and to display the class and excellence of traditional Korean culture more widely.
3- Pung-ryu yard playing
The traditional art performances of intangible cultural heritage staged in the Important Cultural Heritage Transmitters' Centre, Korea Cultural House and Korea House are designed to preserve and promote our traditional culture every Friday all year round.

Transmission and formal or non-formal education
1- Field Investigation of Cultural Heritage
The program ' Field Investigation of Cultural Heritage' was initiated in 1987 in order to provide the general public chances to be interested in the cultural heritage and to have better understanding in the Korean culture. The members of Cultural Properties Committee designated by Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea provide guides and thorough lectures.
2- Korean Traditional Craft Architecture school
The Craft Architecture school was founded in 1995, aimed at education and transmission of skills and techniques of traditional handcraft art as well as fostering future generation. Currently there are about 14 courses such as Chimseon (needlework), Daemok (large scale carpentry), and dancheong (Architectural Colour decoration) so on. These courses are taught by experts who are nationally, municipally, or provincially
designated 'Living Human Treasures' in Korea.

Revitalization
1- Re-enactment of Royal Court Ceremonies
CHF has opened re-enacted events for the general public according to 5 categorized royal court ceremonies such as ceremonies for Opening and Closing the Royal Palace Gates and the Gate Guards Changing Shifts, the Royal Banquet for celebration the Joseon king Teongjo's 50th birthday, the Royal Wedding Ceremony and the Representation of the King's Enthronement Ceremony since 2002.

Date de création: 2002
Budget: U.S.$500000
Domaine(s):

- traditional craftsmanship
- other
- Traditional games; security and safety skills

Mesure de sauvegarde:

- identification, documentation, research (including inventory-making)
- preservation, protection
- promotion, enhancement
- transmission, (non-)formal education
- revitalization

Pays principaux d'activité:

République de Corée

Objectifs:
The World Martial Arts Union pronounced the following shared cognition about martial arts that motivated its founding members to create the organization.
- That countries have particular martial arts with unique forms and features which originated and evolved through the ages in response to the particular security needs of the people concerned, and that such martial arts, an important cultural heritage of the people, share in forming their national character and outlook.
- That martial arts, originally in the past age various combinations of the combat skills and fighting technique for self-defence and survival, are today practiced for and applied to a wide range of peaceful uses, such as physical fitness, recreation, self-defence, law enforcement action and competitive sports, and contribute in a significant way to the promotion of peace and security of the society as well as the well-being of the people.
- That an international union of the martial arts will provide to the world martial arts community an institutional center long since needed for its members to better orgarnize their efforts at contributing to the world peace by promoting friendship between peoples through martial arts and by spreading worldwide its underlying values of peace and justice.
- That the Chungju World martial Arts Festival, the annual event at Chungju, Korea since 1998 is better be provided with an institutional support framework to ensure its continued growth, significantly making contribution to transmitting and conserving traditional indigenous martial arts of the various countries and peoples.
The World Martial Arts Union thus has it as its principal objective to promote understanding and friendship between different cultures( martial arts ), which is conducive to cultivating a more peaceable atmosphere and environment through out the world.
It is further believed that traditional martial arts of individual country or nation is a valuable part of cultural heritage not only of that particular country or nation concerned.
Such martial arts is shared cultural heritage of us all worthy of our joint efforts for its preservation and transmission.
Therefore the Union stipulats in its charter the following four(4) specific undertakings:
1. Collection, exchange and dissemination of Information and material.
2. Organizing study and research activities such as seminars and conferences.
3. Organizing or sponsoring demonstration or exhibition events.
4. In connection with annual Martial Arts Festival, providing administrative and technical assistances to the member organizations with a view to facilitating their participation.
Activités:
- Since its creation in 2002, the World Martial Arts Union has organized, the yearly event of demonstrative performances of martial arts of the various countries and peoples, the Chungju World Martial Arts Festival.
- 2002 (30 country teams)
- 2003 (35 country teams)
- 2004 (30 country teams)
- 2005 (15 country teams)
- 2006 (15 country teams)
- 2007 (16 country teams)
- 2008(27 country teams), to be slated for 2 – 8 october, 2008
- Annual general assembly of members in October every year, since its inception in 2002, where members deliberate the ways and means how better to effect the Unions objectives:
- Building up reference archives for world martial arts at its Secretariat
- Operating the information website, www.womau.com
- Planning to offer what will be called Martial Arts Leadership Seminar, which is to be conducted as a condensed fellowship program for about 4 weeks, twice a year.
- Desirous of taking part in the UNESCO`s ICH program and doing its possible parts in the UNESCO`s ICH work, we attended UNESCO`s ICH Intergovernmental Committee meetings at Tokyo(3 to 7 September 2008) and Sofia(18 to 22 February 2008), and the ICH safeguarding Convention general assembly in Paris (16 to 19 June 2008).
Coopération:
As is presented under item 6c above, the WoMAU works closely with its member organization in the various countries. All of its member organizations are of group of martial arts practitioners and many of them are recognized masters in their respective martial arts.
The administration and the citizenry of the host city of our Union, that is the locate of the Secretariat, are extremely supportive to the activities of our union.
For its work, the WoMAU is getting some financial support from the Korea Foundation and technical assistance from the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage of Korea.

Date de création: 2008
Domaine(s):

- oral traditions and expressions
- performing arts
- social practices, rituals and festive events
- knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe
- traditional craftsmanship
- other
- cultural landscape

Mesure de sauvegarde:

- identification, documentation, research (including inventory-making)
- preservation, protection
- promotion, enhancement
- transmission, (non-)formal education
- revitalization

Pays principaux d'activité:

République de Corée

Objectifs:
The Center for Intangible Culture Studies (CICS) was established in order to enhance researches and promote safeguarding actives of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). CICS puts special efforts for finding measures for protecting and preserving ICH with academic concerns and in-depth understanding of its distinctive characteristics. Due to the complicated and rapid transformations of Korean society and culture, ICH is continually facing in disappearance and distortion. CICS has been involved in many fruitful tasks such as research, inventorying and publishing. Furthermore, CICS is also developing the educational program for safeguarding ICH and its creative applications for the undergraduate and graduate students. CICS is now moving forward to ICH Initiatives in Korean academic and public arenas.
CICS has recently established another special field; ICHPEDIA, a web-based ICH encyclopedia in collaboration with Cultural Heritage Administration of Korean Government. The purposes of establishing ICHPEDIA and archives are (1) to collect basic information to draw up National ICH inventory (2) to provide communities, specialists, and general users with easy access to our digitalized ICHPEDIA, (3) to encourage active participation of those who have interests in ICH, (4) to enhance cultural diversity.
As such CICS has so far endeavored to develop diverse programs from collecting primary sources of ICH and constructing the best web-based ICH inventory to developing the educational programs and application programs. CICS is standing in the forefront of the world’s ICH research institutions.

Activités:
Recently, the main activity of this research center has been safeguarding efforts of intangible cultural heritage through inventory projects. In particular, in order to encourage participation in the inventory process by those who possess intangible cultural heritage-individuals, groups, communities, NGO's, etc.-we have made an online system (ICHPEDIA) and are helping with the recording in which they are directly participating.
The recent activities of our research center can be divided into the following four areas. First, we are carrying out a public service through the gathering of indigenous traditional knowledge by collaborating with residents from Korea's farming, fishing, and mountain villages. Through this activity, we are promoting the utilization and protection of traditional knowledge as an intangible cultural heritage.
Begun in 2010, this is our fourth year doing this work. Secondly, we are operating Korea's first 'Intangible Cultural Heritage On-line Inventory', based on the guideline recommended by UNESCO. Starting in 2010, there are currently 30,000 elements inventoried. Our third area of activity is the conducting of theoretical and methodological research for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.
Senior, full-time researchers and doctoral candidates are actively publishing papers in national and international journals. Our fourth activity is the participation in international cooperative activities related with the safeguarding Intangible cultural heritage. Senior researchers along with the Korean government and International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (ICHCAP), have been actively collaborating in various activities such as holding workshops, conferences and constructing an intangible cultural heritage information network for Bhutan and five Central Asian countries.

Coopération:
From Oct. 26th - Nov. 25th, 2012, we held an exhibition and educational practicum program along with bearers of intangible cultural heritage-masters of the traditional fan (buchae), writing brush (but), musical instrument (geomungo), embroidery (jasu), and straw crafts (jippul gongye). Children, students, and residents became spectators and apprentices, and, while hearing the life stories and seeing and feeling the craftsmanship of the masters, were able to learn the value of their knowledge and skill.
From April to December of 2013 we visited individuals, organizations, and communities designated by the national or local governments as intangible cultural heritages scattered throughout Gyeongsangnam province. We heard directly about the conditions of their preservation and discussed future directions for preservation, and published our findings as a book. The story of 60 intangible cultural property holders and communities are collected in this book. This content will be included in future suggestions for the direction of national policy for the safeguarding of intangible cultural properties.
From April until December of 2014, we have been planning and carrying out a program to support volunteers the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. We hold 4 workshops during the year to facilitate the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage by around 60 volunteers gathered from around the country, and are providing advice regularly for regional activities. This work is being carried out by our research center's full-time researchers and graduate student researchers.