04/03/2024
UNESCO's Endeavor to Safeguard Intangible Cultural Heritage
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has dedicated decades to preserving the world's intangible cultural heritage (ICH), encompassing practices and traditions passed down through generations, such as languages, crafts, and rituals. Nonetheless, safeguarding ICH has faced many challenges, including national disputes of contested ownership of shared traditions, adapting traditions on balancing the need for cultural evolution with concerns about dilution or commercialization, issues regarding minority groups ensuring fair representation, and preventing exploitation in ICH identification. Despite these challenges, UNESCO's efforts showcase the potential for fostering international cooperation and safeguarding diverse cultural expressions that enrich global tapestry.
For decades, the organization has maintained a system that protects everything from Ukrainian borscht to Jamaican reggae. But what does it mean to “safeguard” living culture?
