The International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (ICHCAP), in collaboration with the Korea Ginseng Association, held the 2026 ICH NGO Conference from 14 to 15 October in Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
Under the theme “Traditional Medicinal Plant Knowledge and Sustainable Community Livelihoods,” the conference brought together experts from the Republic of Korea, India, the Philippines, China, Pakistan, Nepal, and Cameroon. Participants shared experiences and community practices related to traditional medicinal plant knowledge and discussed the roles of communities and NGOs in safeguarding, transmitting, and sustainably utilizing such knowledge.
Traditional medicinal plant knowledge extends beyond the therapeutic use of plants. It encompasses a wide range of knowledge and practices accumulated over generations, including an understanding of local environments, methods of collecting, cultivating, and preserving medicinal plants, their uses in everyday life, associated social and cultural practices, and intergenerational transmission. The conference explored such knowledge from the perspective of intangible cultural heritage closely connected to community life and considered its potential links to sustainable development.
Programme
14 October (Wednesday) | Day 1
09:30–10:00 | Registration
10:00–10:20 | Opening
10:20–11:40 | SESSION 1 : Community Practices and Uses of Traditional Medicinal Plant Knowledge
(Presenters)
- Sumi Nam (Senior Researcher, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies)
- Jayarajan Vayalkara (Secretary General, Folkland International Center for Folklore and Culture)
- Monique Pilapil (Part-time Faculty, De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde)
11:40–13:00 | Lunch
13:00–14:50 | SESSION 2 : Traditional and Contemporary Uses of Medicinal Plants and Community-based Economic Activities
- Jeongseop Yeom (Professor, Hallym University)
- Chang Xu (PhD Candidate, The Institute of Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage at Sun Yat-sen University)
- Munira Shaheen (Programme Manager, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme)
14:50–15:10 | Break
15:10–16:30 | SESSION 3 : Stakeholders and Collaborative Frameworks around Traditional Medicinal Plants
- Hyemin Lee (PhD, Yale University)
- Tashi Lama (Executive Director, HEAL Nepal)
- Bachirou Njoya (Secretary Director, Fondation Princesse Momafon Rabiatou Njoya)
16:30–17:00 | Closing
17:00 | End of Day 1
15 October (Thursday) | Day 2
09:00–17:00 | Conference-related Cultural Programme
Visit to Geumsan Medicinal Herb Market and a production facility in Buyeo, among other activities
Text as provided by the organiser(s).
