The workshop on the ratification and implementation of the 2003 Convention
opens in Auckland, New Zealand, on May 9, 2017.

The Workshop on Ratification and Implementation of the 2003 Convention for South Pacific States opened in New Zealand’s Auckland on May 9, 2017.

The training course was co-organized by the International Training Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (CRIHAP), UNESCO Office in Apia, and the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO.

Nisha, director of the UNESCO Office in Apia, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony, Arapata Hakiwai, culture commissioner from the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO gave a speech via video. UNESCO facilitators Noriko Aikawa-Faure and Sipiriano Dominiko Ne mani Ranuku were invited to conduct the workshop.

The workshop was attended by 17 cultural officials, researchers and practitioners in ICH safeguarding from 10 South Pacific states (including five States non Parties) - Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Palau, Samoa, Tuvalu and Kiribati.

The training course included class lectures, field studies, case studies, Q & A communication, and group discussions to enhance the trainees’ understanding of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and the Convention. The training introduced, interpreted and analyzed basic knowledge of the 2003 Convention, ratification of the 2003 Convention, implementation at the national level, raising awareness, safeguarding policies, sustainable development, inventorying of Intangible Cultural Heritage, international cooperation and nomination of registers and lists. At the meantime, trainees also had a discussion of their understanding on the topics.

There are 16 UNESCO Member States in the Pacific region, among which, Australia, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Kiribati have not yet become States Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The target of the training is to promote States non Parties to ratify the Convention, and to strengthen the States Parties’ capacity in implementation of the Convention in the South Pacific Region.

This is the second multinational workshop organized by CRIHAP on the ratification and implementation for countries in the Pacific Region of the 2003 Convention.