Mobilizing partners for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage helps UNESCO to strengthen the scope and impact of its programmes.
Three main lines guide our action:
- Strengthening the capacity of different actors worldwide in order to safeguard intangible heritage effectively;
- Mobilizing public opinion to make everyone understand the importance of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and our shared responsibility in this area;
- Assisting the governing bodies of the Convention, the General Assembly of the States Parties and the Intergovernmental Committee, especially in the annual inscription of elements of intangible cultural heritage on the Urgent Safeguarding List and the Representative List, in the selection of best safeguarding practices and in the granting of financial assistance for safeguarding programmes.
Several partners support the work of UNESCO in its efforts to safeguard and to mobilize public opinion for a better understanding and respect of the intangible cultural heritage.
1 - Category 2 centres under the auspices of UNESCO
Institutes and centres under the auspices of UNESCO (category 2) are funded and made available by Member States to support the programs and strategic objectives of UNESCO. There are to date six centres devoted exclusively to intangible cultural heritage in the world, and a seventh, whose mandate also includes the World Heritage.
2 - Media
The media help raise awareness of the importance of intangible cultural heritage, its role in social cohesion and sustainable development.
3 - Museums
Partnerships with museums aim to make available to the museum public and the scientific community for consultation, a selection of nomination files (text, photographs and audiovisual materials) inscribed by the Intergovernmental Committee on the lists of the Convention. The first cooperation agreement was established with the Quai Branly Museum; many museums around the world were contacted and invited to enter into similar partnerships with UNESCO.