Training on the preparation of periodic reports on the implementation of the 2003 Convention and the status of heritage in UNESCO lists

Attending the event were leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, specialized units/departments performing state management of intangible cultural heritage of 63 provinces and cities, representatives of cultural research and training agencies on cultural heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts, Institute of Music, and typical artisans representing the community of subjects practicing intangible cultural heritages recognized by UNESCO of 63 provinces/cities.

Delegates attending the Training

This is the first time the Department of Cultural Heritage has organized a training course on the preparation of a National Periodic Report on the status of heritage in UNESCO lists. The participants include Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hien, member of the Advisory Board of the Intergovernmental Committee for the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO for the 2017-2020 term; Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Huong, Head of the Cultural Department, UNESCO Representative Office in Vietnam.

The training provided participants with methods and techniques for writing periodic reports from different perspectives, understanding changes in reporting mechanisms based on annual inventories, and better understanding the integration of activities for safeguarding intangible heritage on a large scale.

This is also a rare opportunity for many provinces and cities with heritages on UNESCO Lists to share experiences, promising positive connections and cooperation in the future.

The organization of the National Periodic Report demonstrates Vietnam's efforts and role in implementing its commitments when participating in the 2003 UNESCO Convention on the management, protection, research, inventory, identification, practice, teaching, promotion and introduction of intangible cultural heritage after being inscribed by UNESCO; affirming the important role of the 2003 UNESCO Convention on the protection of intangible cultural heritage, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of state management of intangible cultural heritage and activities to protect and promote the value of heritage after being inscribed by UNESCO.

At the same time, it demonstrates the responsibility and love of artisans, heritage practicing communities and authorities at all levels for intangible cultural heritage.

The Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted by the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2003. On September 20, 2005, Vietnam officially joined and became one of the first 30 countries to join this important international Convention, marking the integration and defining the international role of Vietnam in the field of intangible cultural heritage with UNESCO and other countries in the world.

In that process, the 2003 Convention is an important legal tool that contributes to orienting and supporting Vietnam in promulgating important and appropriate policies and guidelines for the protection and promotion of intangible cultural heritage in Vietnam.

In 2001, for the first time, intangible cultural heritage was officially regulated in the Law on Cultural Heritage, creating a major and important change in the whole society's awareness of intangible cultural heritage, contributing to the protection and promotion of the value of cultural heritage in general and intangible cultural heritage in particular.

Since the establishment of the Law on Cultural Heritage in 2001, many contents on intangible cultural heritage have been included in the Law. The Law on Cultural Heritage has a separate chapter to regulate the protection of intangible cultural heritage.

To date, Vietnam has 15 intangible cultural heritages listed on UNESCO lists.

The contents of intangible cultural heritage stipulated in the Law have made an important contribution to the achievements of protecting cultural heritage in general over the past 20 years, balancing the activities of protecting and promoting the value of cultural heritage, in accordance with the spirit and provisions of the 2003 Convention, highly appreciated internationally, contributing to the protection of intangible cultural heritage, creating a common picture and cultural diversity of humanity.

According to the 2003 Convention, measures to safeguard intangible cultural heritage include not only inscription on the Lists, but also the need for countries to take other measures to safeguard intangible cultural heritage, including inscribed and uninscribed intangible cultural heritage.

One of the important and mandatory measures for member states of the 2003 Convention is to carry out the duty of reporting on the status of intangible cultural heritage inscribed on UNESCO lists.

Through the preparation of reports, management agencies, local authorities and heritage communities clearly understand the status of the heritage as well as measures to protect and promote the value of intangible cultural heritage that have been implemented in recent times.

This report will be reviewed, evaluated and commented on by the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The content of the report focuses on identifying changes in the social and cultural functions of the heritage compared to the time of inscription; the current significance of the heritage for the community; the current vitality of the heritage compared to the previous time; the status of practice, teaching, changes in the social and cultural functions of the heritage compared to the time of inscription; measures that have been and are being implemented; the participation of the community, local authorities and society in protecting the heritage...

Up to now, Vietnam has 15 intangible cultural heritages listed by UNESCO. Of these, 13 intangible cultural heritages are listed in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and 02 intangible cultural heritages are listed in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

Inscription on the UNESCO Lists is one of many activities to protect and promote the value of intangible cultural heritage.

These intangible cultural heritages are widely distributed in 63 provinces and cities. The activity of inscription on the UNESCO List is one of many activities to protect and promote the value of intangible cultural heritages.

However, after registration, the authorities and the heritage's subject communities at all levels need to be more responsible in protecting and promoting the value of the heritage, making cultural heritage make a positive contribution to cultural, economic and social life, contributing to the country's development.

Through the strengthening of the implementation and improvement of the law on cultural heritage, and the strong commitment to the implementation of the 2003 UNESCO Convention, Vietnam has been contributing its experience and demonstrating its efforts and responsibility in protecting the intangible cultural heritage of humanity; contributing to enhancing the country's position and image in the international arena. Vietnam has always been an active and responsible member of UNESCO and the 2003 Convention, as well as being strongly self-reliant in contributing to the protection of cultural diversity and the sustainable development of intangible cultural heritage in the world. Intangible cultural heritage plays an increasingly important role in the sustainable development of culture, economy and society of each community and country./.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/tap-huan-xay-dung-bao-cao-dinh-ky-thuc-hien-cong-uoc-2003-va-tinh-trang-di-san-trong-cac-danh-sach-cua-unesco-20241019092441032.htm