UNESCO launches culture diversity network

To counter the adverse affects of economic globalisation on world cultures and also foster cultural bond among Africans, the International Network for Cultural Diversity (INCD), recently announced the launch of INCD Africa. The institution is a network of artist organisations, culture producers, academics, heritage institutions and others from around Africa working together.

The launch of INCD Africa coincided with the entry into force of the new UNESCO’s Convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions. The Convention was warmly welcomed by INCD, for it has been in the forefront of the campaign to build support for its development, ratification and effective implementation since its first meeting in 2000.

According to Ibrahima Seck, INCD Africa Coordinator based in Dakar, “Forming INCD Africa will give us a strong platform from which to do our work here in Africa, as well as ensuring that African perspectives and needs are integrated in the global movement.”

The INCD Africa urged governments to work with one another as well as with civil society, intergovernmental institutions and their own artists and cultural producers to achieve the real promise of the Convention.

Founded in 1998, INCD brings together more than 400 non-governmental cultural organizations in 74 countries. It has members in 23 African countries.

Source:

The Sun News Online

INCD Logo (image above)

UNESCO launches culture diversity network

To counter the adverse affects of economic globalisation on world cultures and also foster cultural bond among Africans, the International Network for Cultural Diversity (INCD), recently announced the launch of INCD Africa. The institution is a network of artist organisations, culture producers, academics, heritage institutions and others from around Africa working together.

The launch of INCD Africa coincided with the entry into force of the new UNESCO’s Convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions. The Convention was warmly welcomed by INCD, for it has been in the forefront of the campaign to build support for its development, ratification and effective implementation since its first meeting in 2000.

According to Ibrahima Seck, INCD Africa Coordinator based in Dakar, “Forming INCD Africa will give us a strong platform from which to do our work here in Africa, as well as ensuring that African perspectives and needs are integrated in the global movement.”

The INCD Africa urged governments to work with one another as well as with civil society, intergovernmental institutions and their own artists and cultural producers to achieve the real promise of the Convention.

Founded in 1998, INCD brings together more than 400 non-governmental cultural organizations in 74 countries. It has members in 23 African countries.

Source:

The Sun News Online

INCD Logo (image above)

Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage entered into force on 20 April 2006, following its ratification by 30 States. As of February 2007, 75 States had deposited their instruments of ratification, approval or acceptance with UNESCO.

The Convention called for the establishment of the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This list will have a major role in ensuring better visibility of the intangible cultural heritage, in increasing awareness of its significance and also in encouraging dialogue in a spirit that is respectful of cultural diversity.

It also called for a List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, when drawing up the criteria for inscription on this list, will have to determine the conditions under which an element of the intangible cultural heritage will be considered “in need of urgent safeguarding”.

The Intangible Heritage Messenger is a new publication providing updates on the status of the Convention’s ratification and implementation. It is targeted to for ICH professionals, national delegations, national commissions, colleagues within UNESCO and other UN agencies, NGOs, private partners and other actors from civil society.

Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage entered into force on 20 April 2006, following its ratification by 30 States. As of February 2007, 75 States had deposited their instruments of ratification, approval or acceptance with UNESCO.

The Convention called for the establishment of the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This list will have a major role in ensuring better visibility of the intangible cultural heritage, in increasing awareness of its significance and also in encouraging dialogue in a spirit that is respectful of cultural diversity.

It also called for a List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, when drawing up the criteria for inscription on this list, will have to determine the conditions under which an element of the intangible cultural heritage will be considered “in need of urgent safeguarding”.

The Intangible Heritage Messenger is a new publication providing updates on the status of the Convention’s ratification and implementation. It is targeted to for ICH professionals, national delegations, national commissions, colleagues within UNESCO and other UN agencies, NGOs, private partners and other actors from civil society.

Local policies for cultural diversity

This is a study commissioned by the Division of Cultural Policies and Intercultural Dialog of UNESCO.

Institute for Culture,
Barcelona City Council,
as Chair of the United Cities and Local Governments’ Working Group on Culture
20 September 2006

The book includes several reports:

• "Exploring local policies for cultural diversity: synthesis report" by Jordi Pascual

• "Local policies and expressions of cultural diversity: Canada and the United States" by Nancy Duxbury, Derek Simons and Katie Warfield

• "Local Policies for Cultural Diversity. With emphasis on Latin America and Europe" by Annamari Laaksonen

• "Local policies for cultural diversity: systems, citizenship, and governance. With an emphasis on the UK and Australia" by Colin Mercer

There are also three annexes:

• Case studies

• Websites and portals

• Agenda 21 for culture

Local policies for cultural diversity

This is a study commissioned by the Division of Cultural Policies and Intercultural Dialog of UNESCO.

Institute for Culture,
Barcelona City Council,
as Chair of the United Cities and Local Governments’ Working Group on Culture
20 September 2006

The book includes several reports:

• "Exploring local policies for cultural diversity: synthesis report" by Jordi Pascual

• "Local policies and expressions of cultural diversity: Canada and the United States" by Nancy Duxbury, Derek Simons and Katie Warfield

• "Local Policies for Cultural Diversity. With emphasis on Latin America and Europe" by Annamari Laaksonen

• "Local policies for cultural diversity: systems, citizenship, and governance. With an emphasis on the UK and Australia" by Colin Mercer

There are also three annexes:

• Case studies

• Websites and portals

• Agenda 21 for culture