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ICH Safeguarding Efforts in the Asia-Pacific > South-East Asia

ICH Safeguarding Efforts in the Asia-Pacific

Information on ICH safeguarding system, policy, organizations, and pending issues

ICHCAP Field Survey Report on ICH Safeguarding Efforts in the South-East Asian Countries

Based on the ICHCAP Field Survey on Intangible Cultural Heritage Safeguarding Efforts in some South-East Asian countries (2009-2012), this summary provides a brief overview on the ICH situation in Cambodia, Thailand, Viet Nam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Laos, and Myanmar . The summary focuses mainly on ICH safeguarding systems, safeguarding policies, and ICH inventories as well as on pending issues and the urgent safeguarding needs of these countries. Moreover, information on the main entities in charge of ICH safeguarding and opinions of each country on the issue of community involvement are provided. To give a quick overview these countries’ participation in ICH safeguarding at the international level, some additional information related to UNESCO is specified as well. Apart from the main topic, information on the situation of intellectual property related to ICH safeguarding in each country is included. This survey report offers a large sample of the diverse ICH situations in South-East Asian countries. Each country has a different background on the issue of intangible heritage. For instance, Indonesia is the only country participating in the field survey that has a programme in the Register of Best Practices. Viet Nam developed ICH-related definitions in its Law on Cultural Heritage; whereas the Philippines has a strong legislative background and solid network of public structures protecting cultural heritage. Cambodia recognises the link between cultural heritage and development of national economy and runs relevant activities on promoting traditional culture while maximizing its economic benefits to the country. For Laos, training local artists rather than researchers in ICH safeguarding, including IPR, is deemed to be essential, as the artists are the important resources that master their arts. Among the South-East Asian participants, Thailand and Myanmar are the newest to approach ICH safeguarding. Although all countries are concerned about the threats ICH faces, most countries participating in the survey haven’t defined ICH and haven’t established national ICH lists. Meanwhile, drawing up an inventory of traditional cultural expressions in different forms—register, cultural map, or database—is a common activity in these countries. Moreover, each country expresses a high degree of motivation and encouragement for safeguarding ICH, sharing experiences, and promoting international cooperation.

Cambodia
Indonesia
Laos
Myanmar
Philippines
Thailand
Viet Nam
Malaysia

Cambodia

Ratified the ICH Convention in 2006; conducted survey in 2009
As of June 2013, has two elements on the RL and one accredited NGO

Summary
Safeguarding system & policy
Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory
Relevant Organisations
Meetings on Intangible Cultural Heritage
The Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO
Approaches and Initiatives
Recommendations and Suggestions
List of researchers
Annex 1 | Pictures
Annex 2 | Subdecree on the Living Human Treasures of the Kingdom of Cambodia

Indonesia

Ratified the ICH Convention in 2007; conducted survey in 2010
As of June 2013, has two elements on the USL, four elements on the RL,
one programme on the register of best safeguarding practices,
and one accredited NGO

Summary
Safeguarding system & policy
Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory
Relevant Organisations
Meetings on Intangible Cultural Heritage
The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding
Register of Practices which Best Reflect the Principles and Objectives of the Convention
Living Human Treasures Systems (LHTS)
Pending issues & urgent needs on safeguarding of ICH
List of Co-researchers
Annex 1 | Reference Materials
Annex 2 | Photographs

Laos

Ratified the ICH Convention in 2009; conducted survey in 2011
As of June 2013, has no elements on the ICH Lists of UNESCO and no accredited NGOs

Summary
Safeguarding system & policy
Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory
Relevant Organisations
ICH Preliminary Field Survey
Pending issues & urgent needs on safeguarding of ICH
List of Co-researcher
Annex 1 | Law on National Heritage
Annex 2 | An Overview of ICH Safeguarding in Laos
Annex 3 | Photographs

Myanmar

Has not ratified the ICH Convention; conducted survey in 2012
As of June 2013, has no elements on the ICH Lists of UNESCO and no accredited NGOs

Summary
Safeguarding System & Policy
Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory
Relevant Organisations
Meetings on Intangible Cultural Heritage
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Pending Issues & Urgent Needs
List of Co-researchers
Annex | Photographs

Philippines

Ratified the ICH Convention in 2006; conducted survey in 2010
As of June 2013, has two elements on the RL and one accredited NGO

Summary
Safeguarding system & policy
Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory
The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Relevant Organisations
Living Human Treasures System (LHTS)
Pending issues & urgent needs regarding the safeguarding of ICH
List of Researchers
Annex 1 | Photographs
Annex 2 | Relevant Law
Annex 3 | Guideline & Grant Program for the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan

Thailand

Has not ratified the ICH Convention; conducted survey in 2009
As of June 2013, has no elements on the ICH Lists of UNESCO and no accredited NGOs

Safeguarding System & Policy
Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory
Relevant Organizations
Meetings on Intangible Cultural Heritage
ICH for Social Cohesion, Sustainable Development
National Artists
Pending Issues & Urgent Needs
References
List of Co-researchers
Annex 1 | National Cultural Act
Annex 2 | Policy on Religions, Social Welfare, Public Health, Education and Culture
Annex 3 | Photographs

Viet Nam

Ratified the ICH Convention in 2005; conducted survey in 2009
As of June 2013, has two elements on the USL and five on the RL and has three
accredited NGOs

Safeguarding System & Policy
Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory
Information on ICH Elements
ICH Practitioners
Relevant Organizations
Relevant Meetings
ICH Transmission System
Pending Issues and Urgent Needs
List of co-researchers
Annex 1 | Photographs
Annex 2 | Guidebook for the Inventory of Ha Noi city
Annex 3 | Forms for ICH Inventory of Ha Noi City

Malaysia

International Information and Networking Centre for
Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region
under the auspices of UNESCO

Executive Summary
Safeguarding System & Policy
Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory
Information on ICH Elements
Intangible Cultural Heritage Practitioners, Groups, and Communities
Relevant Organizations
Meetings on Intangible Cultural Heritage
ICH Transmission System
Reference Materials
List of co-researchers
Annex 1 | Information of Malaysia
Annex 2 | National Heritage Act 2005
Annex 3 | Sarawak Cultural Ordinance 1993
Annex 4 | State of Penang Heritage Enactment 2011
Annex 5 | Directory of Tranditional Trades and Occupations in George Town World Heritage Site 2012 (by Street)
Annex 6 | Directory of Tranditional Trades and Occupations in George Town World Heritage Site 2012 (by trade)
Annex 7 | Survey Form for NGO in Malaysia