The year 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. In conjunction with the 6th International Silk Road Cultural Expo in Dunhuang, UNESCO, the World Bank, and Gansu Provincial Government, took this opportune time to co-organize a Special Forum on Safeguarding Living Heritage for Sustainability on 7 September 2023. The Forum gathered over 120 participants including government officials, international and national ICH experts, UNESCO chairs and category 2 centres, university representatives, cultural enterprise representatives and representatives from 7 project sites of Gansu Revitalization and Innovation Project. Through vivid case studies and thematic panel discussions, participants explored creative strategies, and innovative practices for safeguarding living heritage, highlighting the importance of leveraging living heritage and creativity to build a sustainable future.

 

Director of Gansu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, Mr. He Xiaozu, delivered opening remarks themed on "Strengthening ICH safeguarding, fostering exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations". He introduced Gansu’s rich and diverse ICH resources, and ICH safeguarding work done by governments at all levels and all sectors of society.

 

Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director and Representative of UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for East Asia, pointed out the significance of this remarkable gathering in the 20th Anniversary of the UNESCO 2003 Convention, and the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative. By combining our resources, expertise, and perspectives, UNESCO, the World Bank, and the Gansu Provincial Government can foster a holistic approach that empowers local communities, enhances economic opportunities, and fosters cultural exchange.

 

Dr. Ahmed Eiweida, World Bank Global Coordinator for Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Tourism, highlighted Gansu as the first province worldwide to operationalize WB-UNESCO "Cities, Culture, Creativity (CCC)" Framework under Gansu Revitalization and Innovation Project. The World Bank and UNESCO will continue to support Gansu’s cultural and creative sectors as accelerators of long-term development and city competitiveness.

 

Mr. Wang Chenyang, Director of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Department, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, gave a keynote speech on the Chinese government's efforts and experience in safeguarding ICH since joining in the Convention in 2004.

 

Dr. Ahmed Eiweida’s presentation set the stage by presenting how Gansu has created conducive conditions for culture and creativity to grow and flourish through targeted interventions across the 6 pillars presented in the CCC Framework from urban infrastructure, skills and innovation, institutional and regulatory environment, networks, uniqueness to the digital environment.

 

In ThinkCity senior manager Ms. Sazlin Sabri’s talk titled "Rejuvenating Cities Together: The George Town Stories", she communicated how the CCC framework enablers, particularly how major investments in Urban Infrastructure and Livability have reinvigorated a deteriorating city. Dr. Hao Qingjun, Deputy Director of the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center gave a presentation on China’s policy and development orientation in safeguarding living heritage over the past decade, and important points on the preservation of ICH at the grassroots level.

 

Ms. Tsolmon Tserendorj, an ICH specialist of the Ministry of Culture of Mongolia gave the audience insights into the Nomadic cultures and the ICH of the regions, and steps taken by the government for revitalizing the creative industries from the aspects of how synergies between national and international policies can empower the safeguarding of ICH. Mr. Jervais Choo, the Deputy Director of the Organizational Design and Innovation of National Heritage Board of Singapore gave his talk on "Heritage for the Future - Technology and Innovation as Drivers of Transformation", with creativity and innovation as the key drivers for the creative industry of Singapore.

 

In the panel discussion, in using the CCC framework as a guide for the development of cultural and creative industries in both cities and rural areas, Prof. Eugene Ch’ng drew out the experiences and insights from the panelists on good practices and a culture-based approach from which cities can be revitalized, and where the human and cultural capital can thrive.

 

The panel started with Ms. Ji Xiaofen (Director of China National Silk Museum)'s sharing on the immersive exhibition "Convergence of Civilizations: Dunhuang on the Silk Road" by the China National Silk Museum. Director of Center for Ethnic and Folk Literature and Art Development, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, Mr. Lan Jing presented 3 key topics in ICH transmission and development including youth engagement, AI application, and inter-disciplinary research.

 

Dr. Chiara Bortolotto, UNESCO Chair in ICH and Sustainable Development at CY Cergy Paris University, shared the example of Avalanche risk management (inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2018) to elucidate the concrete consequences of the sustainabilisation of ICH and the role that scientific research and technological innovation play in this process. Ms. Charlene Mo explained that with innovative mindset and approaches, K11 Craft & Guild Foundation re-interpreted heritage through digital presentations and immersive experiences, forging the connections between the East & West, Traditions & Contemporary, and Virtuality & Reality.

 

The discussion, moderated by Dr. Duong Bich Hanh, Programme Specialist for Culture of UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for East Asia, focused on the role that innovation plays in keeping our living heritage alive, while addressing inequalities and ethical considerations. Panelists provided innovative approaches to empower Gansu’s local practitioners, facilitating their active participation and amplifying their voices on a global stage.

 

The insightful case studies and discussion of the Forum illuminated ways Gansu can take actionable strategies to create enabling environments and enhance creativity in their cities. First and foremost, a comprehensive approach is required to build an enabling environment for culture – including tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and cultural and creative industries – to flourish. As Dr. Ahmed Eiweida highlighted in his presentation, it is important that all 6 enablers are considered for implementation, rather than picking and choosing some or others. Second, a multi-sectoral collaboration and exchanges are needed for culture to be integrated in national and provincial strategies, such as in the education sector or economic sector. Third, youth and their innovative power linking with ability to maneuver digital technology has a great role to play in keeping heritage meaningful and relevant to the present day. And last but not least, the communities need to always be in a central position for any activities concerning culture, especially living heritage. UNESCO and the World Bank will continue to work hand-in-hand with Gansu to leverage culture and creativity for sustainable development.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/RS-P22zLvhuT0Y17osh4Sg