The Bureau,
- Recalling Article 23 of the Convention as well as Chapter I.4 of the Operational Directives relating to the eligibility and criteria of International Assistance requests,
- Having examined document LHE/20/15.COM 3.BUR/3 as well as International Assistance request no. 01616 submitted by Zimbabwe,
- Takes note that Zimbabwe has requested International Assistance for the project entitled Developing and testing intangible cultural heritage (ICH) curriculum materials for primary schools teacher training colleges in Zimbabwe:
To be implemented by the National Training and Conference of the Arts in Zimbabwe (NATCAZ), this two-year project – developed in collaboration with the communities concerned, national arts organizations and master practitioners – is aimed at developing and testing curriculum materials for primary-school teacher training colleges in Zimbabwe. The project seeks to address the lack of consolidated content on living heritage in primary schools, as well as limited professional expertise among certified teachers to become custodians of the country’s intangible cultural heritage. During this pilot phase, NATCAZ, in consultation with the relevant stakeholders, will develop a concise curriculum for six primary-school teacher-training institutions. The project has three key objectives: 1) to develop a primary-school course framework on living heritage to be administered in teacher colleges and other institutions of higher learning by the end of 2022; 2) to enhance the capacities of at least 100 trainee teachers from six teacher training colleges across the country to effectively deliver intangible cultural heritage education in primary schools; and 3) to raise awareness among at least 1000 students, policy makers, stakeholders and community members through a results-based approach. The project will focus on indigenous languages – in particular, sixteen selected languages – and their idioms as well as the performing arts, such as traditional and endangered dances. The project is expected to enhance the appreciation and sustainability of living heritage by establishing it in the primary-school curriculum in the long term, thereby guaranteeing its transmission from generation to generation. The project would also contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 4, target 4.7, which advocates for the ‘appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development’, and, as such would respond to the funding priority ‘Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in formal and non-formal education’ adopted by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Further takes note that this assistance is to support a project implemented at the national level, in accordance with Article 20 (c) of the Convention, and that it takes the form of the provision of a grant, pursuant to Article 21 (g) of the Convention;
- Also takes note that Zimbabwe has requested assistance in the amount of US$99,635 from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the implementation of this project;
- Decides that, from the information provided in file no. 01616, the request responds as follows to the criteria for granting International Assistance given in paragraphs 10 and 12 of the Operational Directives:
Criterion A.1: The community concerned by the request is composed of teachers, representatives of ministries in charge of education and culture, national arts organizations, master practitioners, traditional leaders such as chiefs, women, headmen and village heads who are the cultural custodians. In addition to contributing to the development of the request, traditional leaders who are the cultural custodians have also played a key role by identifying community representatives with experience and knowledge who will take part in the implementation of the project. The request clearly describes how the main beneficiaries will actively participate in its implementation, evaluation and follow-up through a consortium that will be established as part of the project.
Criterion A.2: The budget reflects the planned activities and related expenditures in sufficient detail. The amount of assistance requested may therefore be considered to be appropriate with regard to the objectives and scope of the project.
Criterion A.3: The activities are presented in a logical and well-articulated sequence. The different stages of the project are clearly described: from the research phase to develop the content of the school curriculum - including visits to Uganda and Botswana where such a programme exists - to the training of teachers on how to use the course module on intangible cultural heritage until the course is approved by national actors. In addition, a number of activities - including trainings and meetings - will be adjusted and conducted virtually in the event that the COVID-19 pandemic persists.
Criterion A.4: Activities ranging from teacher training through webinars and workshops to the development of digital materials (online platform, resource book for professionals, digital office) will contribute, in the long term and beyond the six pilot training schools, to a greater appreciation of the importance of intangible cultural heritage by teachers as well as to greater pedagogical competence on this subject. Furthermore, the project plans to incorporate intangible cultural heritage into primary school curricula as well as in teacher training colleges. Finally, awareness-raising campaigns will help promote expressions of living heritage, such as indigenous languages and performing arts, among communities, national authorities and youth, with a view to its safeguarding.
Criterion A.5: The project will benefit from other contributions that account for 7 per cent of the total amount of the project for which International Assistance is requested from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund.
Criterion A.6: The request is in line with Articles 2 and 14 of the Convention which call on States Parties to ‘ensure recognition of, respect for, and enhancement of the intangible cultural heritage in society’ through educational programmes. This request for assistance is clearly aimed at developing the capacity of teachers from the six participating teacher training colleges to deepen their understanding of the importance of intangible cultural heritage for development and to deliver training modules on this subject. The project will thus contribute to building long-term capacity for the safeguarding intangible cultural heritage at the national level, both for educational staff and for youth and students.
Criterion A.7: Zimbabwe has benefitted from International Assistance from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for one completed project – entitled ‘Safeguarding cultural heritage aspects of Njelele’ (file no. 0552, 2011, US$25,000) – as well as two ongoing projects, entitled ‘Enhancing the capacity of communities to safeguard traditional dance expressions as performing arts heritage in western Zimbabwe’ (file no. 01304, 2018-2021, US$98,927) and ‘Inventorying oral traditions, expressions, local knowledge and practices of the Korekore of Hurungwe district in Zimbabwe’ (file no. 01312, 2018-2021, US$93,242.5). The work stipulated by the contracts related to these projects was and is being carried out in compliance with UNESCO’s regulations.
Paragraph 10(a): The project is national in scope and involves key national stakeholders such as Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Department of Teacher Education at the University of Zimbabwe, National Council for Higher Education and Zimbabwe National Commission for UNESCO. The submitting State should ensure that the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa as well as the main strategic partners, such as universities, are involved in the implementation of the project.
Paragraph 10(b): The project will contribute to increasing the number of certified primary school teachers trained on intangible cultural heritage. Moreover, it is expected that at the end of the project, intangible cultural heritage will be integrated into the school curricula in Zimbabwe.
- Approves the International Assistance request from Zimbabwe for the project entitled Developing and testing intangible cultural heritage (ICH) curriculum materials for primary schools teacher training colleges in Zimbabwe and grants the amount of US$99,635 to the State Party for this purpose;
- Requests that the Secretariat reach an agreement with the requesting State Party on the technical details of the assistance, paying particular attention to ensuring that the budget and work plan of the activities to be covered by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund are detailed and specific enough to provide sufficient justification of the expenditures;
- Invites the State Party to use Form ICH-04 Report when reporting on the use of the International Assistance provided.