(Une version française de cette communication est disponible ici en PDF)
SYMPOSIUM ICH NGO FORUM
Towards a Code of ethics for ICH NGOs?
Symposium on the occasion of 10. COM Intergovernmental Committee Meeting of the UNESCO
2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage
29 November 2015
10.00 am – 4.00pm
UNESCO Conference Venue – Country Club Resort;
B1 Western Bypass, Windhoek South, Namibia
INVITATION & CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS
PURPOSE of the Symposium
In the course of the discussions on the UNESCO 2003 Convention and its implementation, ethical questions of ethics have come up. These questions may concern practices of ICH: for example issues of human rights, gender inequality, children’s rights, animal well being, ecological sustainability, etc…).Questions of ethics also may concern procedures and policy tools, the way they are decided, developed or practiced in the framework of the Convention (for example relating to the selection of elements for the Lists and Register).
In recent years the question has come up whetherit would be necessary to develop an ethical frame relating to the diverse ethical issues appearing in the context of safeguarding (policies) for ICH.
A UNESCO ‘Expert meeting on a model code of ethics’ was organized during Spring 2015, hosted by Spain, on this topic. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the main lines that should appear in a possible code of ethics for intangible cultural heritage. The preparatory documents as well as the report of the meeting are online on the UNESCO 2003 website (see below). The report of the Expert meeting will also be an item on the agenda of this 10. COM Intergovernmental Committee Meeting.
It seems very difficult though to make progress in developing a universally shared set of ethical principles concerning the politics and practices of (safeguarding) Intangible cultural heritage.
Many questions come up:
- Is it desirable to design one general set/code of ethics?
- Is it preferable to develop distinguished ethical frameworks for e.g. the work of the Convention and the States Parties involved; for the communities, groups and in some cases individuals concerned; for other intermediary parties concerned such as experts, NGOs and heritage volunteers and professionals active in the field of ICH…?
- Should an approach of either a code of ethics, either a more loose set of ethical principles be fostered?
- Do we prefer a rather technical approach – forming a basis for jurisprudence? Or is it on the contrary valuable to work towards a sort of shared ideology with a set of ethical principles to be endorsed by involved parties?
- Is it in any way possible to go beyond existing international human rights instruments and to find sufficient ethical consensus -and to which degree?- given the context of cultural diversity that is so important for the perspective of ICH and the communities, groups and in some cases individuals involved?
- Should or could we develop a Code of Ethics for ICH NGOs, and if yes, is it a role of the ICH NGO Forum to take the lead for this?
These questions form the starting point for reflection and debate in the 2016 ICH NGO FORUM SYMPOSIUM.
Call for PRESENTATIONS
Send your proposal to ichngoforum@gmail.com putting forward a vision, reflection or proposal on the subject
Max. 300 words – by 13th of November, 2015 – 4 presentations will be selected for presentation on the Symposium.
* Used language in the SYMPOSIUM will be English and French; no interpretation is foreseen.
* We hope to welcome a wide participation and cooperation by NGOs and related States Parties representatives:
We kindly invite States Parties representatives to participate in the Symposium!
**********************
More background information? Have a look here! (download a pdf with more information)
**********************
ICH NGO FORUM SYMPOSIUM
PROGRAM & TIME SCHEDULE
29th of November 2015
MORNING PROGRAM
General Meeting ICH NGO FORUM
10.00 am – 12.30 am
(only open to members of the Forum)
10.00 am – WELCOME by Jorijn Neyrinck for the Organizing committee of the ICH NGO Forum
10.10 am – WORKING SESSION 1:
Follow up on the results of the ICH NGO Forum Conference in Catalunya (June 2015):
A/ Developing the Structure and Work of the ICH NGO Forum:
- Proposal 1: The roles and functions of the Forum: Mission, vision, values
- Proposal 2: Steering Committee for the ICH NGO Forum
B/ Proposal: contribution of the Forum to the Evaluation Body
11.30 am – Coffee break
11.45 am WORKING SESSION 2: Proposal and adoption of the ICH NGO Forum Statement 10. COM
12.00 am – Presentation of #Heritage Alive (by Eivind Falk)
12.30 am- 2.00 pm – LUNCH BREAK
AFTERNOON PROGRAM
SYMPOSIUM TOWARDS AN ETHICAL CODE FOR ICH NGOs?
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
2.00 pm – INTRODUCTION on the Symposium: Towards an ethical code for ICH NGOs?
2.15 pm – 4 presentations (see CALL for presentations above)
3.15 pm – Round Table Discussions: Towards which Code of Ethics for the ICH NGO Forum?
Moderated by the Steering Committee members
3.50 pm – SHARING OUTCOMES and CONCLUSIONS (plenary)
4.00 pm – End
INFO: ichngoforum@gmail.com
