In partnership with the World Bank and Gansu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, UNESCO convened a capacity building workshop “Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage: Empowering Communities for Sustainable Economic Growth in Gansu” in Dunhuang City, Gansu Province, from 24 to 26 September 2024. Gansu, known for its vibrant cultural heritage and a mosaic of ethnic groups, encounters distinctive opportunities and challenges in safeguarding and promoting its ICH. Organized under the framework of Gansu's Revitalization and Innovation Project and actively participated by over 60 delegates, including government representatives, cultural experts and researchers, the workshop was designed to reinforce the understanding and execution of UNESCO's 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in the local context.
Ms. Wang Fengying, Vice Chairman of the Dunhuang CPPCC Committee, and Dr. Duong Bich Hanh, Programme Specialist for Culture at UNESCO's Regional Office for East Asia delivered opening speeches and stressed the significance of the 2003 Convention in ICH safeguarding and sustainable development.
Led by Ms. Ananya Bhattacharya and Ms. Tara Gujadhur, both seasoned members of the UNESCO 2003 Convention global facilitators network, the workshop offered professional insights and innovative ideas for the safeguarding of ICH in Gansu Province. Through participatory methods, the two experts guided the participants in an in-depth discussion on ICH and the 2003 Convention, The Role of Communities in ICH Safeguarding, ICH and Sustainable Development, and The Economic Dimension of ICH Safeguarding, in light of the local situation in Gansu Province, with a particular emphasis on the importance of community participation and empowerment in ICH protection.
The lectures and case sharing by local experts from Gansu Province also greatly benefited the participants. Professor Liu Weihua from the Gansu Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center provided a detailed introduction to the framework for the protection of ICH in China, equipping participants a clearer grasp of the current ICH landscape and potential policy applications. Mr. Du Yongwei, the inheritor of the Dunhuang painted sculpture, emphasized the importance of safeguarding this ancient craft and the efforts made to pass down and maintain the art of Dunhuang. Mr. Lu Guangcheng, Executive Director of Gansu Taohe Inkstone Culture and Development Co., Ltd, explored innovative strategies for ICH into socio-economic development using social media and data-driven methods, advocating for the full utilization of modern artificial intelligence technology in ICH protection.
In addition to expert lectures, case sharing, and group discussions, participants also participated in a guided tour of the ICH Base in Mogaoli Village and the Dunhuang ICH Protection Center, providing them with tangible experience of safeguarding measures currently undertaken by ICH stakeholders. The field visit ignited invigorated discussions on how to further improve current ICH safeguarding measures and enhance community participation in these efforts.
As the workshop concluded, it was evident that the collaborative approach to ICH safeguarding is not merely about preserving the past but about weaving the cultural fabric of communities into the future. By harnessing the power of technology and engaging communities, we ensure that the intangible heritage is not just preserved but also evolves, enriching our global heritage.
