© UNESCO

Jordan is strengthening its capacity for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with UNESCO, organized a 5-day workshop on the implementation of the 2003 Convention on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Amman, at the Department of the National Library from 29 May until 1 June 2016. This was the first one of a series of trainings that will take place in the following months. It is an important initiative, which aimed to enhance the capacities of the relevant stakeholders and communities to safeguard intangible cultural heritage in the country.

A broad range of stakeholders from Ministries, governmental institutions, and non-governmental organizations representing communities from all over Jordan participated. Organized as part of UNESCO’s global capacity-building program and facilitated by two experts from the UNESCO networks of facilitators, this workshop emphasized developing a shared understanding of the rationale and objectives on implementing the 2003 Convention and its key concepts at the national level, as well as establishing an introductory working relationship with and among participants. In order to enhance long-term sustainability, a coordination group of focal points from the relevant institutions (governmental and non-governmental) was established to support the implementation of the 2003 Convention in the country.