URGENT SAFEGUARDING
Document ITH/16/11.COM/9.b Decision 11.COM 9.b
304. The Chairperson proceeded to the examination of agenda item 9.b.
305. The Secretary explained that the Committee had the task of examining the six reports submitted by States Parties on elements inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, and of providing a summary of those reports to the General Assembly, as listed in the table in paragraph 6 of the working document. The table in paragraph 5 shows the 11 reports that were expected between 2013 and 2015 but which had not yet been submitted for examination by the Committee. It was noted that China had already submitted its seven overdue reports in May 2016, and Peru had also submitted its report in October 2016. The Committee would examine all these reports in 2017, hopefully together with those from Brazil, Indonesia and Mauritania, which were one year late. The working document included assessments of the six reports. As was customary, the Secretariat summarized the reports on the effectiveness of the safeguarding activities, on the participation of communities in implementing the safeguarding plan and in the reporting process, as well as on the viability of and current risks for the inscribed element. A draft decision for each of the six reports was proposed. Finally, the Secretary informed the Committee that Viet Nam had submitted its Urgent Safeguarding List report on the status of ‘Xoan singing of Phú Thọ Province, Viet Nam’. However, in compliance with Decision 10.COM 19, this would be examined at the twelfth session of the Committee in 2017 together with a new nomination of the same element for possible transfer to the Representative List.
306. The Chairperson noted that some of the States that had submitted a report in this cycle, namely France, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Mongolia wished to share their experiences in preparing it, and on the challenges and opportunities linked to the inscription of these elements on the Urgent Safeguarding List and the implementation of the corresponding safeguarding plans. They would be given the floor after the adoption of the individual decisions concerning their reports, as for the other States that had submitted reports. With no States Parties wishing to take the floor at this stage, the Chairperson moved to the examination of the first of the six reports submitted by France on ‘Cantu in paghjella, a secular and liturgical oral tradition of Corsica’.
307. The Secretary proceeded with the examination of the draft decisions, explaining that a few standard paragraphs, as well as specific ones, addressed the needs, welcomed the achievements and underlined the challenges for each inscribed element. In the case of France, in paragraph 4, it proposed taking note of its continued efforts to safeguard this element inscribed in 2009, in particular through the systematic recording and transmission of the element by bearers, especially for school-aged children. Paragraph 5 encouraged the State to address the current threats by continuing the programme of recording the chants, strengthening their transmission through training workshops, and seeking increased opportunities for traditional performances. Finally, the Committee might wish to encourage the State to continue its cooperation with the ‘Cantu in paghjella’ Association and the Regional Directorate of Corsica in safeguarding the element and to provide adequate financial support for expanding the transmission activities.
308. The Chairperson then turned to Decision 11.COM 9.b.1, as shown on the screens. With no comments or amendments, he declared Decision 11.COM 9.b.1 adopted.
309. The delegation of France warmly thanked the host country for its welcome, adding that its periodic report had been drawn up in close cooperation with the practitioners, and in particular the association ‘Cantu in paghjella’, the cornerstone of its continual practice in Corsica. The report was based on the community of practitioners who transmit the practice to the younger generation called ‘paghjelli’. The report described some of the lessons learned. For example, it was noted that the population shared a great enthusiasm for this element of heritage as they became aware of its wealth but also its great vulnerability. The singers, who are not paid, have to set aside their professional jobs to practice the cantu, which ends up restricting their involvement. To overcome this difficulty, the French Ministry of Culture granted an annual sum of 45,000 Euros to compensate the singers and to help promote training that would increase the numbers of trainees, and thus the capacity to train others in turn. The transmission of the practice today benefits two distinct groups: adults and students. Adults are trained through workshops or traditional vigils, while schoolchildren are taught in bilingual French-Corsican classes. The initiative began in September 2015 and has produced excellent results and continues to this day. Finally, collections and recordings have been more systematically organized during masses and vigils, and thanks to the availability of funds, the public was now able to discover cantu in practice and its interpretations. Concluding, it was clear that inscription on the Urgent Safeguarding List had enabled the practice to create a real dynamic around which to safeguard, protect and transmit it; it would not have reached that level otherwise.
Furthermore, the drafting of the periodic report provided the delegation with an excellent opportunity to take stock of the measures implemented and their effectiveness.
310. Thanking France, the Chairperson then turned to the examination of the second report submitted by the Islamic Republic of Iran on ‘Traditional skills of building and sailing Iranian Lenj boats in the Persian Gulf’.
311. The Secretary noted that paragraph 4 acknowledged the safeguarding efforts undertaken by Iran, in particular the awareness-raising and capacity-building activities, and the creation of a Lenj Research Centre. Paragraph 5 invited the State to continue its cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, in particular in seeking ways to reconcile modern methods of boat building and navigation with traditional methods. Finally, the Committee might wish to encourage the State to increase the number of Lenj workshops and to support its practitioners, among other safeguarding actions, included in paragraph 6.
312. The Chairperson then turned to Decision 11.COM 9.b.2, and with no comments or amendments, the Chairperson declared Decision 11.COM 9.b.2 adopted.
313. The Chairperson moved to the examination of the third report also submitted by the Islamic Republic of Iran on Naqqāli, Iranian dramatic story-telling.
314. The Secretary noted that this draft decision proposed that the Committee acknowledge the continued efforts of Iran to safeguard this element, especially though its support for practitioners, and commend it for having established the first Naqqāli House (paragraphs 4 and 5). Furthermore, in paragraph 6, the Committee might wish to invite the reporting State to build four more Naqqāli Houses in various regions of Iran, as suggested in the report, and to establish a Naqqāli Foundation for processing and disseminating recordings. Finally, the State might be encouraged to continue supporting naqqāls and to collaborate with practitioners and experts in identifying and implementing innovative safeguarding approaches, as proposed in paragraph 7.
315. The Chairperson then turned to Decision 11.COM 9.b.3, and with no comments or amendments, he declared Decision 11.COM 9.b.3 adopted.
316. The delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran thanked the Committee for the opportunity to share its experience, and Ethiopia for its hospitality. The delegation presented a short
report on its experience in preparing the two periodic reports, the opportunities linked to their inscription on the Urgent Safeguarding List and the implementation of the safeguarding plan. Regarding the preparation of the reports, the delegation had held many meetings with representatives, practitioners, communities and bearers, NGOs and related organizations responsible for implementing the safeguarding plan, and the data had been compiled into reports by the ICH Secretariat of Iranian cultural heritage. Regarding opportunities, the inscription of these elements raised public awareness about the importance of ICH generally and about the values of these two elements in particular. It also attracted people’s attention, especially older people who became interested in practising the element, and who actively participated in its safeguarding resulting in greater transmission of the element, mostly through traditional master-apprenticeship. One of the challenges included the death of some practising masters, resulting in a permanent loss of valuable knowledge and skills. Another key challenge was the decreasing number of orders for wooden Lenj. Some measures had therefore been taken, such as lowering taxes for practising masters and for insurance, as well as for their repair shops; this resulted in lower costs and a rise in the number of orders. In addition, a seminar was held in which masters, bearers and practitioners came together to present their problems, experiences and expectations. This had resulted in a historical house in one of the historical ports of Iran, Bandar Kong, being allocated to these communities by the city council for future activities.
Regarding Naqqāli, one of the activities was a public call for children and youth who practise Naqqāli to send a video of their performances to the Secretariat of the programme, leading to great interest among the youth, especially young women and girls who watch the videos. As a result, the number of practising women and girls is growing considerably and those reaching a professional level are invited to attend various ceremonies, even abroad.
The delegation hoped that the status of both elements would improve in the very near future so that they could soon be transferred from the Urgent Safeguarding List to the Representative List.
317. The Chairperson then moved to the fourth report submitted by Mali on the element ‘Secret society of the Kôrêdugaw, the rite of wisdom in Mali’.
318. The Secretary noted that paragraph 4 proposed taking note of the efforts of Mali in safeguarding this element inscribed in 2011, in particular through the establishment of Kôrêdugaw associations throughout the country as well as educational programmes for young people. In paragraph 5, the State is invited to further develop the existing cooperation between the communities in the different regions, Kôrêdugaw associations, local and customary authorities, village councils and resource persons in order to ensure the long-term viability of the element. Finally, the Committee may wish to encourage the State to address the lack of financial resources required to implement all the planned safeguarding activities; one possibility could be provided by international cooperation mechanisms, which were therefore mentioned in paragraph 6 as a possible way to mobilize funds.
319. The Chairperson then turned to Decision 11.COM 9.b.4, noting an amendment in paragraph 6 submitted by Turkey. With no comments or amendments on paragraphs 1–5, they were adopted. The amendment [the insertion at the end of the paragraph 6, which read ‘including the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund’] was pronounced adopted, as was paragraph 7. With no comments or objections, the Chairperson declared Decision 11.COM 9.b.4 adopted.
320. The delegation of Mali thanked the Government of Ethiopia for the good organization of the session and for its warm welcome, as well as the Secretariat for its work and above all the constructive exchanges that had taken place during the preparation of the periodic report.
The delegation spoke of the regular inventories that had been conducted in various cultural sites, municipalities and regions since its ratification of the Convention in 2005. These inventories recognized the wealth, diversity and vivacity of ICH in Mali, but they also
revealed the difficulties of transmitting it. The inventoried elements are regularly updated; to this end, it was also necessary to continue raising awareness, and above all to strengthen the capacities of the bearer communities, the primary guardians of this intangible heritage.
Mali had also set up management committees within the communities to facilitate the evaluation and concerted safeguarding of the elements inventoried. Concluding, the delegation remarked on the need to prepare the periodic reports in order to evaluate and adapt any of the proposed safeguarding measures, but also to renew trust with the communities, consolidate knowledge, and propose projects to safeguard the inventoried elements.
321. The Chairperson then moved to the fifth report submitted by Mongolia on the element
‘Folk long song performance technique of Limbe performances – circular breathing’.
322. The Secretary suggested that the Committee might wish to take note of the safeguarding activities implemented so far by Mongolia in paragraph 4. These included, among others, a field study of the current state of Limbe and its repertoire, formal and non-formal training courses, scientific meetings, as well as awareness-raising and promotional activities.
Paragraph 5 invited the State to further support training activities, especially of new Limbe performers, to improve research methods for the safeguarding of this element and to cooperate with all relevant stakeholders in safeguarding efforts. Finally, in paragraph 6 it proposed that the Committee encourage the State to remain committed to the safeguarding of this vulnerable element, possibly by ensuring stable financial support for its practitioners.
323. The Chairperson then turned to the draft decision 5, and with no comments or amendments, he declared Decision 11.COM 9.b.5 adopted.
324. The delegation of Mongolia took the opportunity to renew its gratitude to Ethiopia and to the Secretariat for its excellent work. It took note that the Committee had invited Mongolia to develop improved safeguarding methods, especially in formal and non-formal education and transmission processes. Mongolia had also made efforts to establish a firm foundation for its future viability. The ‘Folk long song performance technique of Limbe performances - circular breathing’ was inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List in 2011. At present, as could be concluded from the periodic report, Mongolia still needed to consolidate a reliable financial support for its practitioners and for specific safeguarding activities in order to guarantee its future viability and raise awareness. To this end, the delegation informed the Committee that it intended to request International Assistance in the near future. The delegation acknowledged the relevant NGOs, bearers and communities in Mongolia who had participated in the preparation of the report and made it possible. The delegation concluded by calling upon all States Parties to endeavour to submit their periodic reports on time for the efficient implementation of the Convention, particularly for elements inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List. It also encouraged the Secretariat to develop a capacity-building mechanism for reporting as soon as possible.
325. The Chairperson then moved to the sixth and final report submitted by the United Arab Emirates on the element ‘Al Sadu, traditional weaving skills in the United Arab Emirates’.
326. The Secretary noted that paragraph 4 acknowledged the efforts undertaken so far, and it especially emphasized the strengthening of inter-generational transmission, the improvement of the economic condition of the bearers and the development of their income-generating opportunities. Paragraph 5 suggested that the Committee encourage the State to continue its activities. Finally, the Committee might wish to encourage the State to continue cooperating with all relevant stakeholders in safeguarding the element, to expand its activities to all of the seven emirates and to fully implement the actions foreseen, such as building a Sadu House.
327. The Chairperson then turned to the draft decision, and with no comments or amendments, he declared Decision 11.COM 9.b.6 adopted.
328. The delegation of the United Arab Emirates described Al Sadu as a traditional weaving handicraft practised by Bedouin women who use sheep, goat and camel wool to make soft furnishings for their homes, as well as accessories for camels and horses. Researchers, the communities concerned and bearers had noted that the Al Sadu tradition was at risk, basing their judgement on the fact that the majority of the skillful bearers were elderly women between 60 and 80 years old, and that their numbers were decreasing rapidly to the extent that soon they would no longer be able to transmit this heritage to new generations.
The United Arab Emirates had nominated Al Sadu traditional weaving skills for inscription on the Urgent Safeguarding List in 2011, implementing ambitious safeguarding measures.
After four years of implementation, and in order to prepare this periodic report in 2015, an independent research body had been assigned to evaluate the situation of Al Sadu and, in particular, to examine the demography of Al Sadu practitioners. The report had been thoroughly discussed by representatives of eight civil societies, NGOs and 59 individual bearers who participated in the preparation of the periodic report through two workshops and a series of meetings. The findings revealed that the inscription had had a positive impact on raising awareness at individual and State levels about the safeguarding of Al Sadu, thus ensuring its transmission to future generations. The delegation believed that the element had reached a stage in which it could be taken to the next level, i.e. inscribed on the Representative List. While it appreciated the evaluation, it was surprised that it would have to maintain this element on the Urgent Safeguarding List. It therefore sought further clarification on the decision, despite recommendations from some practitioners that it required more support. Nevertheless, as coordinators of the file, and by following up with researchers and ICH specialists, the delegation believed that the element had reached a situation in which it could now be inscribed on the Representative List. The delegation wished to thank Saudi Arabia for the possibility of speaking Arabic, and thanked the Chairperson and the Secretariat for their efforts in evaluating these reports. This was a new experience in the field of protecting and safeguarding threatened elements, but the efforts deployed were immense as were the financial resources. It was noted that since the practitioners had taken over the safeguarding of the element it had been reborn. The delegation would now wait another five years before it provided another report, during which time it was hoped that the element might reach a situation that would enable its transfer to the Representative List.
329. Thanking the United Arab Emirates, the Chairperson remarked that the final item was the adoption of the ‘chapeau’ decision 11.COM 9.b, but it was now lunchtime.
330. The Secretary informed the Committee of a number of side events taking place during lunchtime, namely, a roundtable discussion on learning with ICH in education, and the projection of the film ‘GUZO North, A journey to the origins of music in Ethiopia’ hosted by the delegation of Germany.
[Tuesday, 29 November 2016, afternoon session]