Talanoa on the Crucial but Neglected Role of Living Heritage in Emergencies
The Small Island Developing States in the Pacific are particularly exposed to a variety of threats related to disasters, including sea level rise, as well as cyclones which cause enormous loss of lives and unprecedented levels of destruction in both regions every year. These threats are being exacerbated by climate change, which represents one of the key challenges of our time. These situations also include threats to the transmission and viability of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), which provide a foundation for the identity, well-being and livelihoods of communities and societies.
At the same time, the Pacific States also possess an attentiveness to environmental variability, with elaborated coping strategies providing a crucial foundation for community-based adaptation measures. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) , also recognizes and identifies as a priority for attention the role of traditional knowledge and practices along with the role of their bearers in the development and implementation of disaster risk reduction plans and mechanisms .
With this backdrop the UNESCO Office for the Pacific States has been implementing jointly with the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean and the Living Heritage Entity the “Capacity building for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in emergencies in Small Island Developing States in the Pacific and the Caribbean” project with the support from the Government of Japan. This project addresses the severe threats that natural disasters are posing to the transmission and viability of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in five Small Island Developing States and has provided important insights on the challenges and opportunities of integrating Living Heritage in into disaster risk reduction mechanisms and practices.
The panel discussion, organized by the UNESCO Office for the Pacific States, seeks to enable an inclusive conversation on the role of living heritage in disaster risk reduction between decisionmakers and practitioners in the Asia Pacific region. This discussion marks an important milestone in promoting an inclusive and contextualized approach in harnessing Asian and Pacific cultures and traditional knowledge in the preparation, response, and recovery from emergencies.
The format of the panel will be a 60-minute Talanoa facilitated by a moderator, allowing for an inclusive conversation between panelists on observations, experiences and lessons learnt in efforts to integrate living heritage in DRR. Speakers will be invited to provide insights on (i) examples of how living heritage is affected by emergencies and what the implications are, (ii) how living heritage has an important role to play in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies, (iii) how living heritage can be better harnessed as a powerful contributor to DRR in the Asia and Pacific, (iv) how to bridge diverse stakeholders that need to be part of this conversation.
United Nations University (Japan), 2012, Weathering uncertainty: traditional knowledge for climate change assessment and adaptation
https://www.undrr.org/publication/sendai-framework-disaster-risk-reduction-2015-2030
UNESCO, 2017, Safeguarding and Mobilizing Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Context of Natural and Human-induced Hazards (Desk study)
Speakers:
- Ms Evelyne Bulegih, Manager, Woman Culture and Field Worker Program, Vanuatu Culture Centre
- Ms Lu’isa Uai Taunga, Senior Assistant Secretary, National Emergency Management Office, MEIDECC
- NDMO Fiji (TBA)
- Government of Japan/JICA (TBA)
- Moderator: Ms Elizabeth Edwards, ICH & DRR Project Coordinator, UNESCO Antenna Office, Suva, Fiji
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The disruption of the transmission of ICH bears important negative consequences for the enjoyment of a range of human rights for current generations and those to come. Indeed, Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that everyone has the right to participate freely in the cultural life of the community. Living heritage is intimately linked with the enjoyment of multiple rights, such as the right to freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, as well as the economic rights of those who earn a living through activities related to their heritage. However, many countries are both unaware of these consequences and the risks affecting their heritage and are unprepared to address them. The capacity to respond quickly is often lacking and this in turn results in lost opportunities to control and reduce the extent of the damage. Indeed, in post-disaster or post-conflict phases, the protection and safeguarding of heritage may contribute to strengthening the resilience of communities, helping them recover a sense of dignity and empowerment.
In this sense, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) recognizes and identifies as a priority the role of traditional knowledge and practices in the development of disaster risk reduction plans and mechanisms. Similarly, the Operational Directives of the 2003 Convention contain, in chapter VI on Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and sustainable development, a subsection on community-based resilience to natural disasters and climate change. It highlights how essential it is to strengthen resilience among vulnerable populations in the face of this type of emergency.
Moreover, the need to protect culture and promote cultural pluralism in emergencies has been identified by Member States as a strategic priority for UNESCO. As a result, the organization is supporting Member States’ efforts to improve their preparedness and response capacity in the context of emergencies. The Operational principles and modalities for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in emergencies, adopted by the General Assembly of States Parties to the 2003 Convention in 2020 provide guidance to States Parties and relevant stakeholders on how best to ensure that ICH is most effectively engaged and safeguarded in emergencies in line with the principles of the 2003 Convention.
The Operational principles and modalities emphasize that the safeguarding of ICH has a dual role to play in emergencies: on the one hand, intangible cultural heritage can be directly threatened, and on the other hand, it can effectively help communities to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. While the Operational principles and modalities cover all types of emergencies, in SIDS, natural disasters are the predominant concern. This is the reason why this project is focusing on the role of intangible cultural heritage in the context of natural disasters.
Following its adoption, UNESCO has developed a capacity-building approach to assist countries to operationalize the principles and modalities and build awareness of their importance among relevant stakeholders. The approach addresses the relationship between ICH safeguarding and disasters risk reduction and provides guidance for applying a community-based approach to needs identification, inventorying and safeguarding of ICH in the context of disasters.
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=18508&LangID=E
https://www.undrr.org/publication/sendai-framework-disaster-risk-reduction-2015-2030
UNESCO, 2017, Safeguarding and Mobilizing Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Context of Natural and Human-induced Hazards (Desk study)
For more information, see https://ich.unesco.org/en/emergency-situations-01117.
Agenda
Location
Philippine International Convention Center
Online access
Details
Organized by
UNESCO Office for the Pacific States Vanuatu Cultural Centre Ministry of National Disaster Management Office Tonga Fiji National Disaster Management Office Government of Japan/ JICA (TBA)Contact
Ms Ellen Lekka, Programme Specialist for Culture, UNESCO Office for the Pacific States, Apia, Samoa), [email protected]; and Ms Elizabeth Edwards, ICH & DRR Project Coordinator, UNESCO Antenna Office, Suva, Fiji, [email protected]