From November 22 to 24, 2023, the “Training of Trainers of the 2003 Convention for Colleges and Universities in China” took place in Beijing. This training, jointly organized by the China National Centre for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, the International Training Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (CRIHAP), and the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for East Asia, unfolded at the Central Institute for Cultural and Tourism Administrative Cadres.

The primary objective of this training was to foster collaboration among various academic entities. It was tailored for higher education institutions that have either implemented or are planning courses on cultural heritage and safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. The training aimed to offer comprehensive interpretations of relevant UNESCO Convention articles, promoting the integration of discipline development, theoretical research, and safeguarding practices. Themed “Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Convention,” the training focused on three modules: World Heritage, Cultural Heritage, and Intangible Cultural Heritage. The opening ceremony and training activities saw participation from 84 educators from 80 Chinese higher education institutions in the field of intangible cultural heritage. Additionally, over 50 students from Renmin University of China, Minzu University of China, and the Graduate School of the Chinese National Academy of Arts attended either in person or online.

During the opening ceremony on November 22, Yu Jiannan, Secretary of the Communist Party of the Central Institute for Cultural and Tourism Administrative Cadres, delivered speeches. Professor Shahbaz Khan, Director and Representative from the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for East Asia, also addressed the audience via a pre-recorded video. Wang Yongqian from the Secretariat of the National Commission of China for UNESCO, UNESCO’s ICH facilitator Suzanne Ogge, and Professor Xiao Fang, Director of the Anthropology and Folklore Department at the School of Social Management, Beijing Normal University, were invited to give lectures on the same day.