Principaux domaines de travail liés à la Convention:
The 94GREEN Foundation has been actively involved in safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage of Suriname through a multifaceted approach that integrates media, education, community engagement and environmental conservation. Over the past few years, the organization has undertaken numerous initiatives that not only preserve and promote cultural practices but also demonstrate our capacity to provide informed and effective advisory services to the Committee. Key activities include:
1. Media Production and Broadcasting:
○ Documentaries and Educational Programs: Producing a wide range of documentaries and television programs that capture and showcase traditional music, dance, oral traditions, and rituals of Suriname’s diverse ethnic communities. These programs serve as both educational tools and archives of intangible cultural heritage.
○ Coverage of Cultural Events: Covering live cultural festivals, ceremonies, and performances, thereby increasing their visibility and fostering a deeper appreciation among viewers both locally and internationally.
2. Community Engagement and Capacity Building:
○ Workshops and Training Programs: Organizing training sessions on media production skills. These programs empower community members, especially the youth, to actively participate in preserving and perpetuating their cultural heritage.
○ Youth Media Initiatives: Implementing media training programs for young people, enabling them to document and share their cultural stories. This not only ensures the transmission of cultural knowledge but also cultivates the next generation of cultural ambassadors.
3. Documentation and Archiving:
○ Intangible Heritage Inventory: Conducting comprehensive documentation and research projects to create detailed inventories of intangible cultural practices, including oral traditions, performing arts, and traditional craftsmanship. This effort contributes to national and regional heritage databases.
○ Digital Archiving: Establishing digital archives that store audiovisual recordings, oral histories, and other cultural materials, ensuring their preservation for future generations and accessibility for researchers and educators.
4. Environmental and Cultural Sustainability:
○ Eco-Cultural Projects: Initiating projects that highlight the relationship between traditional cultural practices and environmental conservation. By emphasizing sustainable practices rooted in cultural traditions, these projects promote both cultural and ecological sustainability.
○ Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Producing content that documents and disseminates indigenous knowledge related to agriculture, medicine, and natural resource management, thereby supporting sustainable development initiatives.
5. Advocacy and Policy Support:
○ Policy Development Support: Providing expertise and insights to assist in the formulation of policies that support the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. This includes contributing to national heritage strategies and participating in high-level consultations.
○ Intercultural Dialogue Facilitation: Facilitating dialogues among different cultural groups to promote mutual understanding and respect, thereby fostering a harmonious multicultural society.
6. Promotion and Enhancement:
○ Cultural Promotions Campaigns: Launching media campaigns that celebrate Suriname’s cultural diversity, enhancing public awareness and appreciation of intangible cultural heritage.
○ Showcasing Artisans and Performers: Featuring traditional artisans and performers in media segments to highlight their skills, promote their work, and support their livelihoods.
Relevant Experience and Capacity to Advise:
94GREEN Foundation’s extensive experience in media production, community engagement, and cultural documentation equips us with the necessary expertise to provide informed advisory services to the Committee. Our successful projects, such as the " ACT / Kwamalasamutu- In Pursuit of Human Wellbeing " and the " CTA / The enabling power of participatory 3D mapping among the Saramaccan Peoples of Suriname" documentaries, demonstrate our ability to effectively document, promote, and preserve intangible cultural heritage. Additionally, our collaborative approach with local communities, cultural practitioners, and educational institutions ensures that our advisory input is grounded in practical experience and community needs.
Impact and Outcomes:
● Enhanced Public Awareness: Our media initiatives have significantly increased public awareness and appreciation of Suriname’s intangible cultural heritage, fostering a sense of pride and ownership among community members.
● Sustainable Preservation Efforts: By integrating cultural preservation with environmental sustainability, we ensure the long-term viability of traditional practices and their relevance in contemporary society.
● Empowered Communities: Our capacity-building programs have empowered individuals and communities to take an active role in safeguarding their cultural heritage, ensuring its transmission to future generations.
Conclusion:
Through our diverse and impactful activities, the 94GREEN Foundation has established itself as a key player in the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in Suriname. Our proven track record, combined with our dedication to cultural preservation and community empowerment, positions us as a capable and reliable partner for providing advisory services to the Committee.
Objectifs
94GREEN Foundation is a non-governmental organization established with the primary objective of promoting and preserving the rich cultural and environmental heritage of Suriname through media and community engagement. The organization's mission revolves around:
1. Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage: 94GREEN Foundation is dedicated to documenting, promoting, and transmitting Suriname's diverse intangible cultural heritage, including traditional knowledge, customs, languages, music, dance, and folklore of the various ethnic communities within the country.
2. Environmental Conservation and Awareness: The organization aims to raise awareness about environmental issues and advocate for sustainable practices by highlighting the intrinsic connection between cultural traditions and the natural environment.
3. Cultural Education and Awareness: By producing educational and culturally enriching media content, 94GREEN Foundation seeks to enhance public understanding and appreciation of Suriname's multicultural society, fostering mutual respect and social cohesion.
4. Community Empowerment and Participation: The organization empowers local communities by providing platforms for them to share their cultural expressions and participate actively in safeguarding their heritage, ensuring that these traditions remain vibrant and relevant.
5. Youth Engagement and Capacity Building: Recognizing the importance of youth in the transmission of cultural heritage, 94GREEN Foundation focuses on engaging young people through educational programs and training in media production related to cultural content.
6. Promotion of Cultural Diversity: The organization celebrates and promotes the cultural diversity of Suriname, emphasizing the value of each community's heritage in the national identity.
These objectives are in full conformity with the spirit of the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. By focusing on the documentation, promotion, and transmission of intangible cultural heritage, 94GREEN Foundation contributes to the preservation of cultural diversity and encourages dialogue among communities.
While the 94GREEN Foundation operates within the media sector, its main goals align closely with the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. The use of media platforms serves as a means to reach wider audiences, raise awareness, and engage various stakeholders in the preservation efforts. The organization's activities support the Convention's objectives by ensuring that intangible cultural heritage is documented, recognized, respected, and transmitted to future generations.
Coopération
94GREEN Foundation has a robust history of collaborating with diverse communities, cultural groups, and individual practitioners to safeguard and promote Suriname's intangible cultural heritage. Our collaborative approach is built on mutual respect, active participation, and the empowerment of local stakeholders.
Community Partnerships:
We have established enduring partnerships with local communities, such as :
- VSG, Foundation of Saamaka Communities, in 2025 a partnership agreement has been established/signed with the leadership of VSG. The fight for landrights and preservation of cultural heritage of the maroon villages along the upper Suriname river
- Solom foundation , Nickerie, Camera Training for children to observe and record the community.
- Indigenous village of Powakka communities.
Collaborative Projects:
- Cultural Documentation:
Partnering with community elders and cultural bearers, we document oral histories, traditional songs, dances, and rituals. This collaboration ensures the authenticity and accuracy of the preserved cultural narratives.
- Recent collaboration established with stg. Nationale Kunstbeurs, the national Art Foundation Exibition. This is an annual exhibition of contemporary and traditional art in Suriname.
- Media Production Workshops:
Conducting workshops within communities to train local members in media production techniques. These workshops empower individuals to document and share their own cultural stories, enhancing sustainability and community-led preservation efforts.
- Festival Organization:
In collaboration with cultural groups, the 94GREEN Foundation supports annual cultural festivals that provide platforms for communities to showcase their heritage. These events facilitate intercultural exchange and help raise awareness about the value and the importance of safeguarding the Surinamese Intangible Cultural heritage in general.
Engagement with Practitioners:
94GREEN Foundation actively engages with traditional musicians, dancers, artisans, and storytellers by providing them with platforms to reach broader audiences. We support practitioners by offering resources and training to innovate while maintaining the integrity of their cultural practices. This support not only amplifies their work but also ensures the transmission of traditional knowledge to future generations.
Capacity Building:
Our commitment to capacity building is evident through initiatives such as archival training, sustainable media practices, and cultural management workshops. These programs enhance the ability of communities to independently preserve and manage their intangible cultural heritage.
Impactful Outcomes:
Our documentation efforts have helped to the successful revitalization of several endangered cultural practices.
Carapa Oil project with the women foundation UJEMA in West Suriname, rediscovering the production of Carapa oil
NFTP project- Community of Powakka village, relation of the community with Nature, production of peprewatra, Casave bread, weaving of the Matapi etc.
Additionally, our documentation projects have created comprehensive archives serving as invaluable resources for education and research.
Inclusive and Participatory Approach:
By adopting an inclusive and participatory approach, 94GREEN Foundation ensures that all stakeholders are actively involved in decision-making and implementation processes. This methodology not only strengthens community bonds but also guarantees that preservation efforts are culturally sensitive and effectively tailored to the needs of each community.
Through these collaborative endeavors, 94GREEN Foundation plays a pivotal role in safeguarding and promoting Suriname's intangible cultural heritage, fostering cultural continuity, and enhancing social cohesion within and beyond the communities we serve.
