Inter-City Intangible Cultural Cooperation Network (ICCN) - ICCN - intangible heritage - Culture Sector

Inter-City Intangible Cultural Cooperation Network (ICCN) - ICCN

Spain

Contact: +34-96-2018630
Postal address: Inter-City Intangible Cultural Cooperation Network (ICCN) Valencian Museum of Festivities St. Nou del Convent, 71 46680 Algemesí 18F City Hall 33 Gangneung Ave. Gangneung Gangwon 25522
Geographic Coverage of NGO’s expertise: Algeria, Cambodia, Canada, Czechia, Egypt, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Jamaica, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Spain

URL: https://www.iccn.or.kr

Year of creation: 2008

Safeguarding measures:

- preservation, protection
- promotion, enhancement
- transmission, (non-)formal education
- revitalization
- other
- As the core membership of the ICCN is comprised of local governments, the ICCN can play a leading role in implementing cultural policies within legislation to safeguard and promote ICH.

Main areas of work related to the Convention:

1) International meetings The ICCN organizes the bi-annual Round Table of Mayors, the bi-annual Thematic Workshop, and the annual meeting of the Board of Directors to encourage and facilitate practical discussion on ways to improve the work carried out in the member localities to safeguard and promote intangible cultural heritage. Through these meetings, members share experiences, formulate ideas, and adopt new policies relating to the safeguarding and promotion of ICH. - Round Table of Mayors .2004 (1 sI session, Korea): .Agreed on the need of an international organization for safeguarding ICH by local govenments at the global level .2008 (2nd session, Egypt): .Discussion on "The role of women in safeguarding of traditional cultural heritage" .Official declaration of the ICCN founding .Adoption of the ICCN Statute (based on 2005 Charter) .2010 (3ro session, Czech Republic ): Discussion on "State/Local Government's approach to ICH and the cultural policies of countries around the world" .1 st ICCN Youth Forum, along with Mayor's meeting to involve youth in the safeguarding activities .2012 (4th session, Korea): .1 st Joint Festival(World Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival with the participation of members, NGOs, practicioners, youth, communities among member cities around the world - Thematic Workshop of Local Government Administrators .2005 (1 st session, Korea): .Draft of the Charter containing the creation of the ICCN .Discussion on "Sustainable development, safeguarding the ICH, and promoting Inter-City Network" .2006 (2nd session, Korea): .Discussion on "Safeguarding of ICH and participation of young people" .2007 (3rd session, Hungary): .Discussion on "Safeguarding of the ICH by building the network" .2009 (4th session, Jamaica): Discussion on "Local government at the forefront of preserving our ICHlThe definition of community and its capacity building by local governments" .2011 (5th session, France): .Strengthening of associate members in the ICCN .Detailed plan will be follow in due course. .2013 (6th session, Italy): .Joint activities with the city of Naples for the Universal Forum of Cultures, which is the international festival aiming at city revival through the use of cultural assets - Meeting of the Board of Directors This will be held on an annual basis to work as a driving force by deciding major plans for the ICCN, support mutual exchange of experience and best practices of individual Member States and municipalities in the care of cultural property and its promotion, transfer of local intangible cultural heritage to the younger generation, and cooperation with local communities and individuals-bearers of such heritage. - International Advisory Committee meeting Through the composition in the ICCN Round Table of Mayors to be held in the Czech Republic in 2010, this committee will function as a consultation with members, and will provide expert advice to assist the ICCN in achieving its objectives. Its membership will be comprised of internationally and nationally recognized experts. It also will provide, on request, advice to members on drafting local cultural policy focused on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. - Youth Forum It is an important task and the responsibility of local governments to nuture within young people an appreciation for, and an understanding of, the values associated with ICH. Along with the Mayors' Meeting, the ICCN will organize a youth forum in cooperation with ICCN members in the Czech meeting in 2010. The Youth Forum will encourage local leaders to devise a legal and institutional framework for youth involvement in local contexts. This will contribute to the realization of the UNESCO Convention by building a greater awareness among the younger generation of the importance of ICH, and its need of safeguarding. 2) Cultural exchanges among members The ICCN has been encouraging the exchange of folklore festivals and other cultural events among its members. The exchanges have been sucessfully accomplished among ICCN members. The Gannat Festival of France invited performers from Vlcnov of the Czech Republic, and Ifugao of the Philippines. The city of Gangneung of Korea invited cultural performers from the Philippines and Egypt during their annual festival. The ICCN also encourages personal exchanges for sharing experiences relating to cultural policies in the development and safeguarding the ICH. As an example, Santa Fe (USA), one of the ICCN core members and a member of the Creative Cities Network of UNESCO, participated in the international meeting hosted by Naples, another ICCN core member, to share their experiences in developing the city and its cultural heritage. The ICCN considers such exchanges to be an important form of popularisation of the intangible cultural heritage of various communities and of learning about other nations. It is also believed that such exchanges contribute to the greater promotion of cultural diversity. - Joint festival among members The ICCN will hold a Joint Festival on a bi-annual basis, which aims at promoting education, transmission, and revitalization of intangible cultural heritage. The first one will be hosted by Gangneung, Korea in 2012. 3) Cooperation with international organizations/institutes - Korean National Commission for UNESCO The Korean Natcom has been a full partner with the ICCN since 2004, when the 1st Mayors' Meeting was oganized. It has continually played a crucial role in providing its expertise on the direction, policies of the ICCN. ICCN was a cooperative partner in the "International Forum on Common Intangible Cultural Heritage in East Asia" which was held in Korea in 2009. The ICCN meeting in the Czech Republic is under the auspieces of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO. The ICCN organized an internation forum on the theme of "The Role of Culture, Administration and Business in Safeguarding and Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage" in 2009, in Gangneung, Korea. -Czech National Commission for UNESCO The ICCN meeting in the Czech Republic is taking place under the auspices of the Czech National Commission for UNESCO. This Commission plays a key role in the implementation of the Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Property. -Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre for Asia and the Pacific in Korea (Category 2 Center of UNESCO) ICCN and ICHCAP in Korea signed a MOU agreement in July 2008 for mutual cooperation for the safeguarding and promotion of intangible cultural heritage. -COPPEM (Standing Committee of the Partnership of the Euro-Mediterranean Local and Regional Authorities) COPPEM and ICCN signed a MOU agreement in the ICCN Round Table of Mayors in Egypt, 2008. COPPEM, an international organization with 106 members including local authorities in the Euro-Mediterranean region, has been cooperating in disseminating the importance of ICH among its members and encouraging participation in the ICCN meetings. ICCN and COPPEM are the partners for organizing the Youth Forum and the ICCN Joint Festival. The ICCN was a cooperative partner of COPPEM in 2009 in the "Intercultural Dialogue Night" which aimed at promoting an intercultural dialogue between traditional and modern cultures among Euro-mediterranean cities. 4) Publications - Meeting reports After each meeting, the ICCN issues booklets containing the presentation materials, speeches, and useful information to share with members, partners, and various institutes around the world. - Newsletter The Secretariat has been issuing newletters on a quarterly basis to share information among members, partners, and networks around the world. - Promotional material As a means of promoting cultural heritage of members, the ICCN produces various materials such as calendar, and post-cards. 5) The website can be found at www.iccn.or.kr Additional information: 1) International meetings ICCN organizes bi-annual Round Table of Mayors, bi-annual Thematic Workshop to encourage practical discussion on how to improve the work of the member localities to safeguard and promote ICH. Through the meetings, members share experiences, formulate ideas, and adopt new policies at the local context relating to ICH. It contributes to the promotion of ICH at the global level. - Round Table of Mayors .2004 (Korea): .Agreed on the need of an international organization for safeguarding ICH by local governments at the global level .2008 (Egypt): -Discussion on "The role of women in safeguarding of traditional cultural heritage" -Official declaration of ICCN founding -Adoption of the ICCN Statute .2010 (3rd session, Czech Republic ): Discussion on "State/Local Government's approach to ICH and the cultural policies of countries around the world". - Thematic Workshop of Local Government Administrators .2005 (Korea): -Draft of the Charter containing the creation of ICCN -Discussion on "Sustainable development, safeguarding ICH, and promoting Inter-City Network" .2006 (Korea): .Discussion on "Safeguarding of ICH and participation of young people" .2007 (Hungary): .Discussion on "Safeguarding of ICH by building the network" .2009 (Jamaica): Discussion on "Local government at the forefront of preserving our ICH/the definition of community and its capacity building by local governments" - Youth Forum The first Youth Forum was held with the participation of students from Canada, Czech, Algeria, Korea along with 2010 ICCN Round Table of Mayors in Czech Republic. After the 1st presentation of the youth forum to ICCN members, the forum was adopted as a regular program of ICCN. The 2nd Youth Forum will be held in Gannat, France in 2011. It is an important task and responsibility of local governments to raise within young people an appreciation for, and an understanding of, the values associated with ICH. The Youth Forum will encourage local leaders to devise a legal and institutional framework for youth involvement in local contexts. This will contribute to the realization of the UNESCO Convention by building a greater awareness among the younger generation of the importance of ICH, and its need of safeguarding. 2) Cultural exchanges among members ICCN has been encouraging the exchange of folklore festivals and cultural events among members. ICCN considers such exchanges to be an important form of popularisation of intangible cultural heritage of various communities and of learning about other nations, and to contribute to the greater promotion of cultural diversity. The Gannat Festival of France invited performers from Vlcnov of the Czech Republic, and Ifugao of Philippines. The city of Gangneung of Korea invited cultural performers from Philippines and Egypt during their annual festival. ICCN also encourages personal exchanges for sharing experiences relating to cultural policies in the development and safeguarding ICH. Santa Fe (USA), the ICCN core member participated in the international meeting hosted by Naples to share their experiences in developing the city and its cultural heritage. 3) Cooperation with international organizations - Korean National Commission for UNESCO The Korean Natcom has been a full partner with ICCN since 2004, when the 1st Mayors' Meeting was organized. It has played a crucial role in providing its expertise on the direction, policies of the ICCN. ICCN was a cooperative partner in the "International Forum on Common Intangible Cultural Heritage in East Asia" that held in Gangneung, Korea in 2009. The 2010 ICCN meeting in the Czech Republic was under the auspices of the Korean Natcom. -Czech National Commission for UNESCO The ICCN meeting in the Czech Republic in 2010 took place under the auspices of the Czech National Commission for UNESCO. -Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre for Asia and the Pacific in Korea(Category 2 Center of UNESCO) ICCN and ICHCAP in Korea signed a MOU agreement in July 2008 for mutual cooperation for the safeguarding and promotion of intangible cultural heritage. -COPPEM As an international organization with 106 members including local authorities in the Euro-Mediterranean region, COPPEM is in full cooperation with ICCN in disseminating the importance of ICH among its members. ICCN was a cooperative partner in the "Intercultural Dialogue Night" that aimed at promoting an intercultural dialogue between traditional and modern cultures among Euro-mediterranean cities. 4) Publications - Meeting reports After each meeting, the ICCN issues a booklet that includes the policies of local governments, and this could be a guiding book for the local authorities to implement cultural policies at the local context. - Newsletter The Secretariat has been issuing a newsletter on a quarterly basis to share information among members, partners, and networks around the world. 5) The website can be found at www.iccn.or.kr

Objectives

The ICCN (Inter-City Intangible Cultural Cooperation Network) is committed to actionoriented policies concerning for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage, and agrees to: 1) promote the ICCN as a platform for the world-wide collaboration of mayors and local government units for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, as envisioned in the Gangneung Declaration of 2004; 2) use the ICCN in formulating and implementing informed and balanced developmental and cultural strategies and policies in which sustainable development and the safeguarding of intangible heritage rank as priorities among local governments; 3) abide and implement in its role the UNESCO Convention for the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage; 4) promote the relationship between local communities and local governments in regards to the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, and to improve awareness as to why such relationships are fundamentally necessary; 5) utilize the ICCN as a means to meet the challenges of globalisation as then affect cultural diversity, and to preserve the cultural diversity of communities consisting of unique and invaluable local traditional cultures. Based on these objectives, ICCN stipulates the following undertakings in the Statute: 1) to hold regular meetings to facilitate practical discussion, action plans, policies, and combined progress towards the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage; 2) to gather and share information concerning safeguarding activities; 3) to train local government administrators, professionals, and custodians to build safeguarding capacity; 4) to hold joint activities, such as the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival (with the first to be held in Gangneung, Korea in 2012) that aims at promoting the multiple aspects of education, transmission, and revitalization of the intangible cultural heritage, and sustainable local development. 5) to facilitate policies and action plans between local governments and their communities in relation to the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.

Cooperation

ICCN members are closely linked to their communities and can provide the legislative direction, financial aid, and human resources needed to safeguard and promote ICH. The members also provide local communities with logistic and moral support in their effors to safeguard intangible cultural heritage. The ICCN aids in facilitating bridges between local governments and their communities, thus establishing a mutual cooperation in the safeguarding of ICH at the local level. ICCN members have at their disposal an enormous wealth of experience in the field of care of local intangible cultural heritage and relations with the communities that are its bearers. This means that the ICCN offers expert assistance in this regard to the Intergovernmental Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage. Additional information: ICCN members have at their disposal an enormous wealth of experience in the field of care of local intangible cultural heritage and relations with the communities that are its bearers. ICCN members are closely linked to their communities and can provide the legislative direction, financial aid, and human resources, logistic and moral support in the efforts to safeguard intangible cultural heritage. Here are some cases of member cities of ICCN; 1) Case of Ifugao, Philippines As an UNESCO Representative List, the Hudhud chant shows an excellent example that reflects the cooperation between the local government, and communities. To transmit the hudhud to the younger generation, the government provides funds for a teaching program so that the old professional chanters can train the volunteer teachers who will be the one to teach young children. The local government is in close coordination especially with the chanters to document their hudhud chanters. These documentation projects are used to make teaching modules for children in the elementary and high school. 2) Case of Gangneung, Korea As an UNESCO Representative List, Gangneung Danoje festival has been transmitted in cooperation between the local government, and communities. The Gangneung municipality provides administrative support, and partly financial resources to the communities. Also more than 80 communities participate in the organization of the festival. In this process, there is a NGO committee that coordinate the smooth communication and cooperation between the two parties. This cooperation could be dated back to 500 years ago, and has been kept up to now. 3) Case of Generalitat Valencia, Spain The School Museum of Pusol was selected on the Register of safeguarding programmes, project and activities of UNESCO in 2009. In the process of the project into one of the most representative ICH activities in the region, the Regional Government , Generalitat Valencia, has played a key role in supporting the institution. Since 1992, its Department of Culture has granted subventions to cover particular museum program and projects, including inventory, equipment, restoration, and research. Since 1998, the Education Department has provided teachers, duplicating the school staff, to meet the challenges posed by the success and development of the pedagogic project.