The leaflet introduces elements inscribed each year by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and the Register of Best Safeguarding Practices. It also contains a cumulative list of the elements inscribed since 2008.
The cumulative list present, by alphabetical order of the submitting States, the 298 elements inscribed so far between 2008, the first year of implementation of the Convention at the international level, and 2012 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and the Register of Best Safeguarding Practices. The 90 elements formerly proclaimed Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity have all been incorporated into the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008, as provided by Article 31 of the Convention. The 16 multi-national elements inscribed on the Convention’s Lists are listed at the beginning to highlight the importance of international cooperation.
The List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding aims to enhance global awareness and mobilize international cooperation in order to safeguard intangible cultural heritage whose viability is at risk despite the best efforts of the communities or States Parties. It records the safeguarding measures drawn up by the State Party, with the widest participation of the communities, that may then be given priority for financial support from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund. Four elements of intangible cultural heritage were inscribed on this List in 2012 by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity aims to ensure better visibility of the intangible cultural heritage and to raise awareness of its importance while encouraging dialogue that respects cultural diversity. Twenty-seven elements of intangible cultural heritage were inscribed on this List in 2012 by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Register of Best Safeguarding Practices includes programmes, projects and activities that the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage considers best reflect the principles and objectives of the Convention. It aims to promote international exchange and cooperation for programmes with proven success in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Two programmes were selected for the Register in 2012 by the Committee.