Living Heritage goes to School
Background, Activities and Goals: On October 17, 2003, UNESCO adopted the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. For this reason, starting this year, October 17 has been proclaimed International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage. In honour of the occasion, the UNESCO Chair on Intangible Cultural Heritage and Comparative Law of University of Rome Unitelma Sapienza has promoted a nationwide initiative that, through differentiated educational and training activities, brings the 2003 UNESCO Convention to elementary, middle, and high schools, to raise awareness and increase knowledge about Intangible Cultural Heritage through education, one of UNESCO’s primary missions.
This experimental project stems from the conviction that it is of utmost importance to stimulate these kinds of reflections precisely in the new generations, to make sure that what has connoted the history and continues to connote the present of communities (that is, those knowledges, traditions, and practices which, being transmitted from generation to generation, define their identities) won’t be lost in the future.
With the help of a “toolkit” elaborated by the UNESCO Chair, containing supplementary didactic materials, PowerPoint slides, audiovisual content, and proposals for activities to be carried out in the classroom with students, on the 17th of October, teachers will be able to create opportunities for interpersonal and intercultural encounters and exchanges on the concepts and values of “living heritage.” Through debate with students and storytelling sessions, interactive play, and simulations, students will get to reflect on Intangible Cultural Heritage and its deep-rooted value, thus building awareness from a young age.
The results of this experimental day will be published in a dedicated section of this initiative’s website (unitelmasapienza.it/ichday), which will collect photos, drawings, and written works produced by students during the activities carried out on Oct. 17, shared on a voluntary basis by educators with the consent of the students.
Text as provided by the organiser(s).
