News

It is with deep sorrow that we learned of the passing of Kristin Kuutma. Kristin was a pivotal figure in the field of Intangible Cultural Heritage and left an indelible mark on the 2003 Convention from its very beginnings. A renowned anthropologist, professor at the University of Tartu, holder of…

 21 May 2025 2.30 pm to 4 p.m. CEST via zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88167198923 Dialogue on action research experiences in tourism and living heritage   with Ruzanna Tsaturyan (My Armenia Program, Armenia), Ketevan Gurchiani (Georgia), moderated by Michele McKenzie (international Tourism expert, Canada), Chaired by Halle M. Butvin (Smithsonian Center for Folklife…

The Executive board of the ICH NGO Forum in collaboration with ICOMOS ICICH International Scientific Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Working group on legal and policy development is organising a webinar on the ICOMOS Charter and guidance on sites with ICH. Join us on May 7th at 2pm…

(Click here for the french version) Wednesday, 16 April 2:00–3:30 PM CET (Zoom link) The ICH NGO Forum has been involved in the Culture 2030 Goal Campaign since 2023. As the campaign advances its aim of securing a stand-alone goal for culture in the post-Agenda 2030 framework, it is essential that…

Summary Drawing on extensive ethnographic engagement with the social world of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, this Element explores the mainstreaming of sustainable development principles in the heritage field. It illustrates how, while deeply entwined in the UN standardizing framework, sustainability narratives are expanding…

Based on the Jeonju Declaration on the Protection of ICH adopted by the first international intangible heritage decree in 2017, the Jeonju International Awards for Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage (JIAPICH) aims to encourage the model safeguarding practices of ICH in the global community regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, race, age,…

Dear NGO members, The Electoral Board is pleased to announce the call for candidates for the election of one member from the Africa region to join the ICH NGO Forum Executive Board, which was elected in December 2024. In compliance with the electoral rules, this election aims to select one…

The Working Group on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), Climate Change, and the Environment of the ICH NGO Forum, that brings together 264 NGOs accredited by UNESCO under the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, invites researchers, practitioners, and community members to submit abstracts for articles to…

The Centre for Agrarian History (CAG) and the Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage (KIEN) invite European researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and heritage professionals to participate in an interdisciplinary workshop in Leuven (Belgium) on 19-20 June 2025. We hope to foster connections that could lead to new initiatives and partnerships focused on environmental resilience across Europe.…

The new ICH NGO Forum Executive Board members were elected in Asuncion on 3rd December 2024. In compliance with the Electoral Rules, the elections this year were aimed at electing members for three electoral regions (Africa, Asia Pacific, and Western Europe & North America). According to the Electoral Board’s decision a…

UNESCO’s Overall Results Framework (ORF) to the 2003 Convention offers a global framework to set the course and goals for everyone working around the Convention. The ORF can inspire, influence and guide national ICH policies as well as other stakeholders in the Convention, such as NGOs. NGOs do not only contribute to the goals of the…

For the past six years, the Jeonju International Awards for Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage (JIAPICH) has served as a significant platform for the global ICH NGO community. Initiated by Jeonju City, this event has honored 15 finalists from across the world, representing all continents. We are excited to announce that…

Next week, on September 13, 14 and 15, the 22nd edition of Tocatì, the international festival of street games, will take place in Verona, Italy. It is the main action of "Tocatì, a joint program for the protection of traditional games and sports", a multinational program registered in the Convention's…

The fourth international Kaustinen Intangible Cultural Heritage Seminar Culture 2030 Campaign – global impact through community actions on 13 July will focus on the inclusion of culture in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The seminar is part of the new, week-long Kaustinen ICH Academy programme. The seminar will offer insights on the role…