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2. United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
Background
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation ("UNESCO")
is a body established under the Economic and Social Council of the
United Nations.
UNESCO was established in 1945 by the Charter of the United
Nations. Its objective is to contribute to peace and security in the
world by promoting collaboration among nations through education,
science, culture and communication in order to further universal
respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and
fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world,
without distinction of race, sex, language or religion. There are
currently 190 Member States of
UNESCO, including New Zealand (which is a founding member).
Consideration of Traditional Knowledge
UNESCO is the only international organisation whose mandate
expressly refers to the safeguarding of all aspects of heritage,
including intangible heritage. In recognition of the importance of,
and urgent need for proper protection of intangible cultural
heritage,
UNESCO has prepared the International Convention for the
Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (the "Convention")
and the Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible
Heritage of Humanity (the "Proclamation").
The
UNESCO General Conference has also decided that work should
commence on an international convention on the protection of the
diversity of cultural contents and artistic expressions (also
referred to as cultural diversity). The Declaration on Cultural
Diversity recognises cultural diversity as a "common heritage of
humanity" and considers its safeguarding to be imperative. The first
draft of the Convention is expected to be presented to the next
session of the General Conference.
International Convention for the
Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
The Convention was adopted by a majority of Member States at the
32nd General Conference in 2003, however, thirty ratifications are
necessary to bring it into force. It is designed to promote the
safeguarding of oral traditions and expressions, including language
as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage, rituals and festive
events, social practices, knowledge and practices about nature and
the universe, performing arts and traditional craftsmanship. It is
intended that the establishment of international co-operation and
assistance mechanisms, notably the creation of an Intangible Cultural
Heritage Fund, will make it possible to develop safeguarding projects
at national, regional and international levels.
To achieve the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, the
Convention stipulates that Parties to the Convention must establish
inventories of intangible culture. The intention is to ensure better
visibility at an international level of this particularly vulnerable
heritage.
Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral
and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
The Proclamation was adopted at the 29th session of the General
Conference. The Proclamation encourages governments, non-governmental
organisations (NGOs)
and local communities to identify, safeguard, revitalise and promote
their oral and intangible heritage. It also aims to encourage
individuals, groups, institutions and organisations to contribute to
its management, preservation, protection and promotion.
In 2001,
UNESCO's Director General proclaimed 19 of the world's most
remarkable examples of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.
UNESCO has so far proclaimed 47 "Masterpieces of the Oral and
Intangible Heritage of Humanity" from all regions of the world. The
Proclamation is a bi-annual process, the next proclamation is
scheduled to take place in 2005.
Requests are made to the Director General by Member States,
intergovernmental organisations in consultation with the National
Commission for
UNESCO in the country concerned and non-government
organisations who have a formal relationship with
UNESCO. All requests are made with the Indigenous group's
consent.
For more information on the process visit
Proclamation of Masterpieces: UNESCO Culture Sector
.
New Zealand Participation
New Zealand participates in the activities of
UNESCO through the New Zealand National Commission for
UNESCO and through a permanent representative to
UNESCO based in Paris. There is also a Pacific Office in Apia,
Samoa which is responsible for the 16 Pacific States, including New
Zealand.
The New Zealand National Commission comprises a Chair and five
specialist members appointed by the Minister of Education. The role
of the National Commission is to advise
UNESCO on the development of its policies and programmes and
to manage and facilitate the relationship between New Zealand and
UNESCO. It also assists in the implementation of those
policies and programmes in New Zealand and the South Pacific. For
more information on the National Commission for
UNESCO, visit
UNESCO
New Zealand .
Future Work
To give effect to the International Convention for the Safeguarding
of the Intangible Cultural Heritage,
UNESCO is required to establish a Representative List of the
Intangible Heritage of Humanity and a second list of Intangible
Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. These lists will
rely on the information generated through the establishment of
inventories by Parties to the Convention.
New Zealand Position
New Zealand supports the work of
UNESCO. New Zealand, however, abstained from voting on the
Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention.
Acknowledgement
The Ministry of Economic Development would like to acknowledge the
UNESCO website for information used in preparing this fact
sheet. For more information on the International Convention for the
Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage visit
Home: UNESCO Culture Sector .
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