The Italian network of NGOs accredited to the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was born in Paris at the UNESCO headquarters, on 19 April 2019.
On that occasion, all the NGOs met on input from the Convention Secretariat to discuss the role and ability to contribute to the full application of the UNESCO’s Convention and of the possible operational guidelines that go beyond the consultancy capacity responding to the invitation of the Secretariat of the Convention (Consultation meeting on the role of accredited non-governmental organizations in the 2003 ICH Convention – UNESCO Headquarters, Room XII, April 18, 2019) to take part in a reflection, accompanied by the dissemination of a questionnaire, dedicated to the consultative role of accredited NGOs (“Reflection on the advisory functions of accredited non-governmental organizations within the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage – Réf.: CLT / CRE / ITH / 18/273).
The work of reflection on the need for the network, already started with the NGO SiMBDEA and some others since 2013, finds its motivation in the awareness of all the protagonists of the need to identify a place for comparison, discussion and sharing, for the purpose of greater synergy nationwide.
The Italian network of NGOs accredited to the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage collaborate, each according to its skills and specificities on individual activities or larger projects.
Among the main objectives of the network we point out:
a) carry out network accreditation actions at subnational, national and international institutions responsible for safeguarding and enhancing intangible cultural heritage;
b) play a mediating role between institutions and “communities, groups and individuals”, at all levels, thus favoring the processes of recognition of the living heritage and its intergenerational transmission;
c) promote and participate in interregional, national and international projects for the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage;
d) planning and organizing opportunities for training, exchange of experiences and capacity building, as envisaged by the Convention and its “global program of capacity building”, favoring, both among the subjects of the network and with the various stakeholders and shareholders, the planning common and the growth of awareness, thus promoting the meeting and exchange between expert knowledge and between researchers, groups, communities and individuals, also with a view to ongoing training;
e) promote regular refresher sessions for NGOs, following, at national level, the meetings of the Intergovernmental Committee, the General Assemblies and the meetings of the Forum of accredited NGOs;
The Italian network of UNESCO-accredited NGOs is open to the inclusion of all national and, possibly, international entities with relevant accredited activities carried out in Italy, who will subsequently wish to join and participate in the proposed meetings and activities.
The coordination of the network is entrusted to UNPLI, in the person of Gabriele Desiderio, International relations manager. The following are the participating NGOs:
• Cultural Association “Circolo della Zampogna”
• Musical-Ethnic Cultural Association “TOTARELLA – Le Zampogne del Pollino”
• Association for the Conservation of Popular Traditions
• Sant’Antuono Association & the Battuglie di Pastellessa
• Traditional music, songs and dances of the Four Provinces (MUSA)
• Italian Society for Museography and Demo-Ethno-Anthropological Heritage (SIMBDEA)
• National Union of Pro Loco of Italy (UNPLI)
For further information: gabriele.desiderio@unpli.info
