UNESCO Conducts Capacity-Building Workshop to Enhance India’s Reporting on Intangible Cultural Heritage

The three-day workshop was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the nodal agency for the implementation of the 2003 Convention in India.

The UNESCO South Asia Regional Office conducted a national capacity-building workshop to support India’s Periodic Reporting process for the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage from May 22 to 24, 2024, in New Delhi. The three-day workshop was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the nodal agency for the implementation of the 2003 Convention in India.

The Periodic Reporting process, mandated by the Convention, serves as a critical mechanism for monitoring its implementation and evaluating the effectiveness of measures adopted by States Parties to safeguard Intangible Cultural Heritage. These reports assess progress, facilitate the sharing of best practices, and disseminate lessons learned on a global scale. The sessions, led by UNESCO expert facilitator Ms. Suzanne Ogge, aimed to enhance understanding and implementation of the reporting requirements outlined in the 2003 Convention.

The workshop brought together a distinguished group of cultural experts actively engaged in India's Periodic Reporting process. The workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Tim Curtis, UNESCO Representative to India and Director of UNESCO South Asia Regional Office, Ms. Lily Pandeya, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Ms. Junhi Han, Chief of Culture Sector, Mr. Aneish P. Rajan, Director of the UNESCO Cell/Akademi at the Ministry of Culture, and Mr. Raju Das, Secretary of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, along with esteemed experts in the field of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The primary aim of the workshop was to provide participants with an overview of the reformed periodic reporting mechanism and the overall results framework developed by UNESCO. Participants explored the thematic areas, indicators, and assessment factors structuring the reporting document, alongside recommended strategies for India’s report preparation process.

Mr. Tim Curtis stressed the need for stakeholder engagement, particularly with local communities, in the Periodic Reporting process. He highlighted that the periodic reporting process offers an opportunity for the country to assess its progress in safeguarding cultural heritage, recognize existing challenges and opportunities, and devise strategic plans for further efforts and policy measures to safeguard India’s intangible cultural heritage.

During the workshop, senior artists representing inscribed intangible cultural heritage elements of India, such as the Sankirtana ritual singing, drumming, and dancing of Manipur, Chau Dance, and Kutiyattam Sanskrit theatre, participated in a community consultation session to review the current status of their respective art forms. A roadmap for Periodic Reporting spanning from June to December 2024 was developed, outlining steps to enhance India’s reporting capabilities.

Through this initiative, UNESCO reaffirmed its dedication to assisting State Parties in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage through diverse capacity-building initiatives.