Global events

Throughout the anniversary year, UNESCO organised meetings and events to take stock of the impacts made by the 2003 Convention over the past two decades, further raise awareness on the importance of living heritage safeguarding and reflect on the future directions of the 2003 Convention. The eighteenth session of the Committee (5 to 8 December 2023, Republic of Botswana) concluded the anniversary year, taking advantage of the presence of the main stakeholders of the 2003 Convention.

Jiyeon Gwangdae’s dance at the Yechoen Cheongdan Noreum. Four Jiyeon Gwangdaes, wearing masks made from winnows, symbolize the four directions (NSEW) and four seasons. Read more on the element
© International Mask Arts and Culture Organization (IMACO), Republic of Korea, 2019

Celebration of 20th anniversary of the 2003 Convention in Seoul

From 25 to 26 July 2023, the Republic of Korea will host a Global Meeting for the 20th Anniversary of the 2003 Convention. Under the theme “Unleashing the power of living heritage for sustainable development and peace”, the Meeting in Seoul will celebrate achievements of twenty years of implementing the Convention and outline a vision for its future direction. Four thematic panels explore living heritage in relation to (1) sustainable livelihoods, (2) the natural world, (3) quality education and (4) the digital environment. Leading international thinkers, policy makers, civil society, experts, and community representatives will engage in this visionary discussion, which will be live streamed for the larger public.

The event is hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (MOFA) and the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea (CHA) in collaboration with UNESCO, the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (ICHCAP) and the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation (CHF).

Naples Conference on Cultural Heritage in the 21st Century

The Naples Conference on Cultural Heritage in the 21st Century explores synergies between the 1972 World Heritage Convention, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, and the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage marking its 20th anniversary this year.

As the first major event bringing together the World Heritage and Living Heritage Conventions following MONDIACULT, this Conference celebrates heritage in its diverse forms, fostering enhanced and new forms of safeguarding through active participations of communities. Reflecting on the achievements of the two Conventions, discussions center around the potential of heritage as a driver of sustainable development, peace and stability.
To ensure holistic and inclusive exchanges, the Conference gathers a diverse array of global cultural stakeholders as well as renowned thinkers and community leaders. Their perspectives inspire an innovative approach to heritage that considers the close relationships between nature and culture, tangible and intangible, as well as heritage and creativity.

The Conference is hosted by Italy and organized by UNESCO, in cooperation with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Ministry of Culture, with the support of the City of Naples.