Main areas of work related to the Convention:
7.a.1 Organization’s Competence and Expertise
3. The Sylvia Lanka Foundation (SLF) brings together a dedicated team of experts, community leaders, educators, and practitioners with extensive experience in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.
4. Our team includes agricultural specialists, environmentalists, educators, and cultural heritage advocates who have worked directly with rural communities to document and preserve traditional farming techniques, indigenous ecological knowledge, and craft traditions. Many of our team members have academic backgrounds and hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture, ethnographic research, and cultural preservation, ensuring a well-rounded approach to heritage safeguarding.
5. The Kaudulla Community Farm serves as a living center for heritage preservation, where farmers, artisans, and researchers collaborate to transmit traditional knowledge to younger generations. SLF’s field personnel work closely with local communities to document oral traditions, support cultural festivals, and revitalize endangered practices through workshops and training programs.
6. Additionally, SLF has experience providing policy recommendations and advisory support on heritage preservation, sustainable agriculture, and community-based development. Our expertise enables us to serve as a valuable advisory body to UNESCO, contributing knowledge, research, and practical solutions to the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.
Objectives
Organization’s Compétence, Expertise, and Expérience in Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage
The Sylvia Lanka Foundation (SLF) was established with the mission of empowering communities and enriching lives through sustainable development, education, and cultural preservation. While our primary objectives focus on improving livelihoods, education, and community well-being, safeguarding intangible cultural heritage is an integral part of our initiatives.
One of our flagship projects, the Kaudulla Community Farm, embodies traditional knowledge and sustainable agricultural practices that have been passed down through generations. By promoting organic and regenerative farming techniques, we help preserve indigenous agricultural wisdom, such as traditional crop rotation, soil fertility management, and water conservation methods. These practices, deeply rooted in Sri Lankan heritage, are at risk of being lost due to modernization and climate change.
In addition, SLF supports local artisans, traditional food producers, and rural communities in maintaining their cultural heritage. We conduct workshops on traditional food preservation techniques, sustainable farming, and eco-friendly handicrafts, ensuring that these valuable skills continue to benefit future generations. Through our scholarship programs, we also encourage young learners to appreciate and engage with their cultural heritage, fostering a sense of pride and continuity.
SLF’s commitment to cultural heritage aligns with Article 9 of the Convention by actively documenting and promoting traditional knowledge systems while integrating them into sustainable development efforts. Our community-driven approach ensures that intangible cultural heritage remains a living and evolving aspect of Sri Lankan society.
Through our work, we aim to bridge the gap between heritage and progress, ensuring that local traditions remain relevant and resilient in the face of contemporary challenges.
Cooperation
Collaboration with Communities, Groups, and Practitioners of Intangible Cultural Héritage
The Sylvia Lanka Foundation (SLF) works closely with local communities, farmer groups, artisans, and cultural practitioners to safeguard and transmit Sri Lanka’s rich intangible cultural heritage. Our collaborative approach ensures that traditional knowledge remains a living and evolving part of community life while adapting to modern challenges.
Engagement with Farmers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders
Through the Kaudulla Community Farm, SLF actively collaborates with local farmers and agricultural practitioners who possess generations-old knowledge on organic farming, natural pest control, and water conservation techniques. We facilitate community-led workshops where experienced farmers teach younger generations about traditional paddy cultivation, seed preservation, and sustainable agricultural methods.
Support for Traditional Artisans and Handicraft Practitioners
SLF works with weavers, potters, and traditional craftspeople, providing them with training, resources, and market access to sustain their livelihoods. By promoting eco-friendly and heritage-based products, SLF helps preserve traditional craftsmanship while enhancing economic opportunities for artisans.
Preservation of Social Practices, Rituals, and Festive Events
SLF collaborates with communities to document and celebrate traditional festivals, such as harvest celebrations and cultural storytelling sessions, ensuring their continuity. These events serve as platforms for intergenerational knowledge transfer, reinforcing the importance of cultural identity within the community.
Community-Based Research and Documentation
SLF engages in oral history projects and ethnographic research, where elders and community leaders contribute to the documentation of endangered cultural practices. By partnering with local schools and educational institutions, we ensure that this knowledge is integrated into formal and non-formal education.
Sustainable Development and Cultural Revitalization
SLF integrates heritage conservation with sustainable development, ensuring that traditional knowledge contributes to food security, climate resilience, and rural empowerment. By working directly with local communities, SLF fosters ownership and active participation in the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.
Through these initiatives, SLF demonstrates its strong commitment to community-based heritage preservation, making it a valuable partner for UNESCO in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.
