The Committee

1. Takes note that Oman has proposed Oman Youth Sail Training Ship (Safinat Shabab Oman) programme for peace and sustainable cultural dialogue (No. 02080) for selection and promotion by the Committee as a programme, project or activity best reflecting the principles and objectives of the Convention:

The Oman Youth Sail Training Ship programme for peace and sustainable cultural dialogue actively contributes to introducing Oman’s intangible cultural heritage to the rest of the world. To date, it has made eighteen voyages reaching more than fifty-five countries. The programme, which is financed by the State, aims to enrich the traditional sailing experience and preserve it as a global cultural legacy while using it as a means to share living heritage practised in Oman with other parts of the world. Young people of all genders participate in the ship’s voyages and the coordination of the cultural events held on board, in close collaboration with practitioners of various elements of living heritage, such as arts, literature and traditional crafts. The participating youth are encouraged to act as cultural ambassadors for their country. They also receive training on traditional sailing skills and participate in international sailing festivals and races. The programme thus contributes to the transmission of cultural heritage. Participation in the programmes counts towards accredited university hours, ensuring its sustainability for future generations. The Oman Youth Sail Training ship highlights the role of culture in promoting dialogue and communication between peoples. It also emphasizes the importance of preserving intangible cultural heritage and promoting global cultural diversity.

2. Considers that, from the information included in the file, the programme responds as follows to the criteria for selection as a good safeguarding practice in paragraph 7 of the Operational Directives:

P.1:   The Oman Youth Sail Training Ship programme has various safeguarding measures which highlight different types of living heritage, including traditional navigation science, traditional arts and other traditions and customs. Young people of all genders participate in the voyages and coordinate cultural events held on board, in close collaboration with living heritage practitioners. To date, the youth sail training ship has made eighteen voyages reaching more than fifty-five countries across different continents.

P.2:   At the international and regional levels, the programme has made voyages to a number of countries, hosting youth and other visitors. The sailing ship has participated in different international exhibitions and festivals in the Gulf Coast countries, the USA and Australia.

P.3:   The programme safeguards living heritage and enables knowledge and skills transmission through live performances and the global dissemination of living heritage elements. It seeks to raise awareness of intangible cultural heritage at national and international levels by hosting award programmes, providing institutional support to civil society and contributing to publications.

P.4:   The file demonstrates how the viability of intangible cultural heritage has been strengthened through the programme. A website was developed to share the activities and voyages of the ship and cultural objects on board. This has helped to enhance cultural tourism in Oman and won international awards such as the 2017 International Friendship Award. Participation in the programme counts towards accredited hours in university education courses approved by the Ministry of Education, Scientific Research and Innovation.

P.5:   Community members participate in the programme in various ways, including as presenters of Omani living heritage, visitors wishing to acquire knowledge and skills, and exhibitors of crafts and other elements of intangible cultural heritage. The community has also participated in developing workplans for artistic performances and training events, and the media contributes to publicizing and presenting the programme.

P.6:   Participation of the youth sail ship in regional and international exhibitions, festivals and events provides an innovative model for safeguarding and presenting intangible cultural heritage to the world. The programme may also serve as a means of promoting global communication, dialogue, mutual respect and peace.

P.7:   The consent letters submitted in support of including the youth sail ship on the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices demonstrate the State’s and the community’s willingness to cooperate in the dissemination of the programme’s good safeguarding practices. Letters from the Royal Navy of Oman, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and several individual community practitioners attest to this commitment.

P.8:   Local evaluation of the programme was conducted through an electronic questionnaire, and the results indicate the programme’s measurable impact. Other indicators include the international and national awards the programme has received, the number of visitors to the ship, and a research paper on ‘The role of the First and Second Shabab Oman Ships in Introducing Culture of Oman’ which was presented in 2021 and is available online.

3. Decides to select Oman Youth Sail Training Ship (Safinat Shabab Oman) programme for peace and sustainable cultural dialogue as a programme, project or activity best reflecting the principles and objectives of the Convention;
4. Commends the State Party for a well-prepared file featuring a safeguarding model that promotes living heritage at the regional and international levels while fostering peace, tolerance and mutual respect.