Methodologies for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage

This training course serves as a comprehensive scientific and practical guide for anyone seeking active engagement in the field of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) safeguarding. The course begins with the conceptual frameworks established by the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and progressively advances toward hands-on fieldwork applications, including inventory and documentation methodologies and the design of safeguarding strategies. It also addresses critical contemporary issues such as the role of local communities, professional ethics in heritage work, and the safeguarding of ICH in the context of armed conflicts and humanitarian crises.
Significance of this Training Course:
Intangible cultural heritage faces unprecedented challenges in today’s rapidly changing world, driven by globalization, social transformations, armed conflicts, and natural disasters. This course addresses a genuine gap in specialized Arabic-language training content by combining the theoretical framework of international conventions with practical fieldwork methodologies. Investing in building specialized competencies in this field is a fundamental pillar for ensuring the sustainable and responsible transmission of living cultural heritage to future generations.

By the end of this course, the learner/ trainee will be able to:

1. Define the concept of intangible cultural heritage and distinguish it from other forms of heritage according to the UNESCO 2003 Convention
2. Identify the five domains of ICH and provide applied examples from Arab and local contexts
3. Understand the mechanisms for implementing the UNESCO 2003 Convention at national and international levels and the role of State Parties
4. Differentiate between the concepts of safeguarding, inventorying, and documentation, and apply them correctly in field contexts
5. Design and conduct ICH inventories in accordance with UNESCO standards and approved methodological frameworks
6. Apply ethical principles in inventorying and documentation processes, ensuring respect for community rights and dignity
7. Effectively engage local communities in the processes of safeguarding their intangible cultural heritage
8. Design safeguarding strategies grounded in field inventory findings
9. Address the challenges of documenting and safeguarding ICH in the context of armed conflicts and humanitarian crises
10. Apply acquired knowledge to real field projects within a professional or academic setting