Sharjah Heritage Concludes Specialized Workshop on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage under the 2003 Conventio
The Sharjah Institute for Heritage concluded today (Thursday) a four-day specialized training workshop on the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held at the Institute's headquarters. The workshop brought together researchers, specialists, representatives of government entities, and heritage practitioners as part of the Institute's ongoing efforts to strengthen the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in line with international standards and to enhance the capacities of national professionals working in this field.
Practical Training and Applied Knowledge
The workshop featured a comprehensive training programme combining theoretical and practical components. Participants explored the concepts, objectives, and implementation mechanisms of the 2003 Convention, while receiving hands-on training in inventorying, documentation, and field recording methodologies, as well as the ethical principles governing work with elements of intangible cultural heritage. The programme also introduced participants to the procedures for preparing UNESCO nomination files for intangible cultural heritage elements.
The workshop further examined approaches to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage at the national level, highlighting the role of local communities in sustaining cultural heritage. It also reviewed international best practices and discussed the challenges associated with preserving living heritage and transmitting it to future generations.
Al Kindi: Highlighting Best Safeguarding Practices
His Excellency Abubakr Al Kindi, Director of the Institute, stated that one of the workshop's key outcomes was to shed light on the principal practices, procedures, and methodologies set out in the 2003 Convention for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. These outcomes contribute to raising awareness of the importance of protecting this valuable cultural legacy through scientific and professional approaches.
Al Kindi added that the workshop also highlighted the direct and indirect role played by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage in implementing safeguarding measures through its specialized programmes, initiatives, and projects, supported by practical examples and successful experiences reflecting the Institute's extensive efforts in this field.
He further noted that the workshop concluded with a number of recommendations calling for the expansion and strengthening of safeguarding measures for intangible cultural heritage, along with the development of documentation and preservation mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of this cultural legacy for future generations.
Advancing Sustainable Heritage Safeguarding
The workshop forms part of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage's ongoing efforts to develop specialized national competencies capable of documenting and safeguarding intangible cultural heritage while reinforcing its role as an essential component of cultural identity, in accordance with international standards and best practices.
By combining theoretical knowledge with practical application, the workshop enabled participants to acquire specialized skills for understanding the Convention and applying its mechanisms effectively in practice.
The training was delivered by Dr. Abdessalam Ammrer, an expert in intangible cultural heritage and a UNESCO-accredited facilitator for the 2003 Convention.