About Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage:
- Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), as UNESCO defines it, includes the practices, knowledge, expressions, objects, and spaces that communities see as part of their cultural identity.
- For the Safeguarding of ICH, UNESCO adopted the 2003 Convention on 17th October 2003 during its 32nd General Conference in Paris.
- The Convention formally established mechanisms for international cooperation, support, and recognition, laying the foundation for UNESCO’s ICH lists and the subsequent work of the Intergovernmental Committee.
- The purposes of this Convention are
- To safeguard the ICH;
- To ensure respect for the ICH of the communities, groups, and individuals concerned;
- To raise awareness at the local, national, and international levels of the importance of the ICH, and ensure mutual appreciation thereof;
- To provide for global cooperation and assistance.
- The Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the ICH advances the objectives of the 2003 Convention and ensures their effective implementation across Member States.
- In fulfilling this mandate, the committee:
- Promotes and monitors the objectives and implementation of the 2003 Convention.
- Provides guidance on best practices and recommends measures for safeguarding ICH.
- Prepares and submits to the General Assembly the draft plan for the use of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund.
- Mobilises additional resources for the Fund in accordance with the Convention’s provisions.
- Drafts and proposes operational directives for the implementation of the Convention.
- Examines periodic reports submitted by States Parties and compiles summaries for the General Assembly.
- Evaluates requests from States Parties and makes decisions regarding:
- Inscription of elements on UNESCO’s ICH Lists (as per Articles 16, 17, and 18).
- Granting of international assistance.
- Membership:
- It has 24 members who are elected for a term of four years.
- The election of new members takes place every two years during the ordinary session of the General Assembly of States Parties.
- India is currently a member of the committee (2022-2026).
