The Capacity Building Workshop on the Intangible Cultural Heritage Safeguarding Plan and International Assistance Requests Development in the Pacific was held from May 13 to 17 in Fiji.

CRIHAP, in collaboration with the UNESCO Office in Apia and the Department of Heritage & Arts under Fiji’s Ministry of Education, held the Capacity Building Workshop on the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Safeguarding Plan and International Assistance Requests (IARs) Development in the Pacific from May 13 to 17 in Fiji.

Mr. Liang Bin, Director-General of CRIHAP, and Mr. Collin Yabaki, Director of the Department of Heritage & Arts under Fiji’s Ministry of Education, attended the opening session and delivered speeches.

Mr. Liang Bin, Director-General of CRIHAP, attends the opening session and delivers speech.

Since 2014, CRIHAP has conducted capacity-building training on ICH safeguarding in the region and by this year had successfully held six workshops. This year’s workshop aimed to impart the concepts of the Convention to cultural officials of Small Island States (SIDs), especially through the introduction of international assistance, to enhance the ability of island countries in the region to apply for UNESCO assistance funds, so as to strengthen their capacity in safeguarding ICH.

Representatives from government cultural departments in 12 Pacific region countries participated in the workshop. During the five-day training, with the aim of learning the basic concepts of the Convention, the safeguarding plan and international assistance requests, UNESCO facilitators Ms. Suzanne Ogge and Ms. Meked Besebes, and local Fijian trainers ran the training using onsite lectures, group discussions and interactive exchanges. They also organized a discussion on the status of ICH safeguarding in the region.