This website is developed and maintained with the support of the Governments of Spain and Japan. Meetings on intangible cultural heritage (co-)organized by UNESCO
10 element(s) – “2003 Convention: drafting of the text”
Third session of the Intergovernmental Meeting of Experts on the Preliminary Draft Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage02/14-06-2003, Paris (France)
The third session was held at UNESCO Headquarters from 2 to 14 June 2003. 249 participants representing 103 Member States took part in the meeting, as well as ten experts from UNESCO’s three permanent observation missions and representatives of two intergovernmental organizations and five non-governmental organizations (for a list of participants, see Annex III).
This being a continuation of the work of the first and second sessions of the Group of Experts (September 2002 and February 2003), the Chairperson (Mr Bedjaoui - Algeria), the four Vice-chairs (Mr Scovazzi - Italy, Mr Berke - Hungary, Mr Kim - Republic of Korea and Mr Yai - Benin) and the Rapporteur (Mr Barrios - Bolivia) were confirmed in their functions; Mr Berke was replaced by Mr Soòs for this 3rd session).
Secretariat report (CLT-2003/CONF.206/4) (English|French)
Working documents
- Third session of the first intergovernmental meeting of experts on the preliminary draft convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage
CL/3669: English|French - Report of the Second session
CLT-2003/CONF.205/6: English|French - Consolidated preliminary draft convention for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage
CLT-2003/CONF.206/2: English|French - Report of the Intersessional Working Group of governmental experts
CLT-2003/CONF.206/3: English|French - Agenda
CLT-2003/CONF.206/5: English-French - Rules of Procedure
CLT-2003/CONF.206/6: English|French
Information documents
- Practical information note
CLT-2003/CONF.206/INF.1: English-French - List of working documents
CLT-2003/CONF.206/INF.2: English-French - Note of the Secretariat regarding the cooperation between UNESCO and OMPI
CLT-2003/CONF.206/INF.3: English|French - Provisional List of Participants
CLT-2003/CONF.206/INF.4: English-French
Intersessional Working Group of government experts on the Preliminary Draft Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage22/30-04-2003, Paris (France)
The Intersessional Working Group met at UNESCO Headquarters from 22 to 30 April 2003 and considered the articles concerning
- the nature, composition and functions of the Committee;
- the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and the list of treasures of the world intangible cultural heritage;
- finance and the creation of a fund for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage;
- the form and content of international assistance; and lastly
- the Convention’s general provisions.
The Preamble, the Annex and the Final Provisions could not be examined, due to lack of time; but more than 26 Articles were considered, and the results of this work were presented in a consolidated text, the Preliminary Draft, which was adopted by consensus and served as a basis for discussion at the third session in June 2003.
The Intersessional Working Group, as an informal body, did not have an official set of working documents created expressly for its meeting. Members were provided with relevant working documents of the previous sessions of the Intergovernmental Meeting of Experts, as follows:
- CLT-2003/CONF.203/3 Rev - Compilation of amendments from Member States concerning the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (English|French)
- CLT-2003/CONF.205/5 - Compilation of general comments from Member States concerning the preliminary draft Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (English|French)
- CLT-2003/CONF.205/6 – Report of the Secretariat on the second session of the Intergovernmental Meeting of Experts, notably Annex I (English|French)
Unofficial working documents (below) included an informal agenda (English-French), and two documents reflecting the results of the second session of the Intergovernmental Meeting of Experts. Please note that these documents were erroneously assigned code numbers that were later used for different documents during the third session of the Intergovernmental Meeting of Experts, q.v.
- CLT-2003/CONF.206/2 - Compilation of amendments from Member States submitted during the second session of the Intergovernmental Meeting of Experts on the Preliminary-Draft Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (English|French)
The meeting of the working group resulted in a report from its Rapporteur, Mr Constantin Economides, which later served as a working document of the third session of the Intergovernmental Meeting of Experts, and which includes a list of participants:
Second session of the Intergovernmental Meeting of Experts on the Preliminary Draft Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage24-02-2003/01-03-2003, Paris (France)
At the second session of the Group of experts, which took place from 24 February to 1 March 2003, a consensus emerged on three essential points:
- the purposes;
- the definitions of the terms “intangible cultural heritage” and “safeguarding”;
- the establishing of national inventories in order to ensure that this heritage can be identified.
The principle of a “list” or “register” of “intangible cultural heritage in danger” was also accepted. A Drafting Committee was set up by the plenary meeting, and contributed to progress on these points. Also at this second session, the plenary meeting adopted, on the motion of its Chairperson and in accordance with Article 4 of its Rules of Procedure, the principle of an intersessional mechanism in the form of an informal working group of 18 government experts, three experts (from three different Member States) from each electoral group.
- Address by Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO (French)
- Secretariat report (CLT-2003/CONF.205/6) (English|French)
Working documents
- Circular letter of the Director-General CL/3651 and report on the first session (September 2002)
CLT-2002/CONF.203/5: English|French - Provisional List of Participants
CLT-2003/CONF.205/4: English-French - Agenda
CLT-2002/CONF.203/1.Rev: English-French - Rules of Procedure
CLT-2002/CONF.203/2.Rev: English|French - Compilation of amendments from Member States concerning the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
CLT-2002/CONF.203/3 Rev: English|French - Director-General’s preliminary report on the situation calling for standard-setting and on the possible scope of such standard-setting
CLT-2002/CONF.203/4: English|French|Spanish|Russian|Chinese|Arabic - Compilation of general comments from Member States concerning the preliminary draft Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage
CLT-2003/CONF.205/5: English|French
Information documents
- Historical background to the preparation of the preliminary draft convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage
CLT-2003/CONF.205/INF.6: English|French - Impacts and best practices for safeguarding action - First “Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”
CLT-2003/CONF.205/INF.7: English|French - List of States having submitted comments and amendments to the Secretariat: synthesis of responses as of 22 January 2003: English-French
- List of working documents
CLT-2003/CONF.205/INF.4: English-French - Note of the Secretariat on the Agenda
CLT-2003/CONF.205/INF.3: English|French - Note of the Secretariat on the working documents
CLT-2003/CONF.205/INF.2: English-French - Note on the Recommendation of the first session of the intergovernmental meeting of experts – Multilateral international instruments in force directly relevant to the intangible cultural heritage
CLT-2003/CONF.205/INF.5: English-French - Positions of Member States concerning the principle of list(s) of intangible cultural heritage, 7 October 2002: French
- Practical information note
CLT-2002/CONF.203/INF.1 rev: English-French
First session of the Intergovernmental Meeting of Experts on the Preliminary Draft Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage23/27-09-2002, Paris (France)
The first session was held at UNESCO Headquarters from 23 to 27 September 2002. The experts worked on the basis of a document prepared by the Secretariat containing the first preliminary draft prepared earlier (largely by experts assisting in a personal capacity during March and June 2002), and contributions from 59 Member States which responded to the Director-General’s Circular Letter CL36/29 of 29 July 2002. At the end of their first session, the experts emphasized the strict interdependence of the tangible and the intangible heritage, and recognized the living, evolving nature of this heritage, as well as its extreme fragility.
- Address by Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO (English|French)
- Report (English|French)
Working documents
- Provisional Agenda
CLT-2002/CONF.203/1 Rev: English-French - Draft Rules of Procedure
CLT-2002/CONF.203/2: English|French - Preliminary Draft Convention for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage
CLT-2002/CONF.203/3: English|French|Spanish|Russian|Chinese|Arabic - Director’s general preliminary report on the situation calling for standard-setting and on the possible scope of such standard-setting
CLT-2002/CONF.203/4: English|French|Spanish|Russian|Chinese|Arabic
Information documents
- Circular letter: Intergovernmental meeting of experts on the preliminary draft convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage
CL/3632: English|French - Executive Board Decision 164EX/3.5.2: English|French|Spanish|Russian|Chinese|Arabic
- General Information Note
CLT-2002/CONF.203/INF.1: English-French - List of documents
CLT-2002/CONF.203/INF.2 rev.: English-French - Provisional list of participants
CLT-2002/CONF.203/INF.3 prov.: English-French
Third Round Table of Ministers of Culture: the intangible cultural heritage, a mirror of cultural diversity16/17-09-2002, Istanbul (Turkey)
74 ministers of culture and 36 other State representatives met in Istanbul under the auspices of UNESCO and at the invitation of the Turkish Government, to discuss the safeguarding of the intangible heritage in the light of its importance for cultural diversity.
At the close of the meeting they adopted a Declaration which places cultural diversity and the intangible cultural heritage which it mirrors on a genuinely political agenda by acknowledging the urgent need to act both nationally and internationally.
Second meeting of the select drafting group of a preliminary international convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage13/15-06-2002, Paris (France)
In June 2002, taking into consideration the recommendation of the Rio meeting, an international meeting on “ Intangible Cultural Heritage - Establishment of a Glossary” was held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The experts at this meeting adopted a new definition of intangible cultural heritage. This definition is contained in the preliminary-draft of the international convention on the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage, which was to be discussed at the first intergovernmental meeting of experts on this subject (UNESCO, Paris, 23-27 September 2002).
- Final report (English)
Working documents
- List of documents
GGR2/CH/2002/WD/1: English|French - Provisional Agenda
GRR2/CH/2002/WD/2: English|French - Provisional List of Participants
GRR2/CH/2002/WD/3: English-French - Draft Glossary proposed by a group of Dutch experts convened by the bureau of the Netherlands National Commission for UNESCO and amended by the Meeting of Experts on the Terminology
GRR2/CH/2002/WD/4: English|French - Preliminary-Draft International Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage (result of GRR1)
GRR2/CH/2002/WD/5: English|French - Final report of the first meeting of the restricted drafting group (20-22 March 2002)
GRR2/CH/2002/WD/6: English|French - Proposals for inclusion in the preliminary draft of the Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage, by Paul Kuruk
GRR2/CH/2002/WD/7: English
Information documents
- Decision 3.5.2, Document 164 EX/51: Progress report on the preparation of an international convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage
GRR2/CH/2002/INF/1: English|French|Spanish|Russian|Chinese|Arabic - Document 164EX/19: Progress report on the preparation of an international convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage
GRR2/CH/2002/INF/2: English|French|Spanish|Russian|Chinese|Arabic - Recommendation on the Safeguarding of Traditional Culture and Folklore, 1989
GRR2/CH/2002/INF/3: Multilingual - Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Paris, 16 November 1972
GRR2/CH/2002/INF/4: Multilingual - Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention
GRR2/CH/2002/INF/5: English|French in preparation - Developing a New Standard-setting Instrument for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage : Elements for consideration, by Janet Blake
GRR2/CH/2002/INF/6: English|French
Expert meeting on “Intangible Cultural Heritage - Establishment of a Glossary”10/12-06-2002, Paris (France)
In the process of elaborating a new international convention for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, it proved essential to draw up a glossary presenting and defining the most frequently used terms relating to intangible cultural heritage, and found in various texts, analysis and documents.
During the international meeting of experts organised by UNESCO in Rio de Janeiro on “Intangible Cultural Heritage: priority domains for an international convention” (Brazil, 22-24 January 2002), experts had underlined the importance and urgency of having such a glossary at disposal. Consequently, it was decided to convene at UNESCO headquarters, in June 2002, a meeting of experts in order to establish the definitions of those terms.
In view of this, and following the request made by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Section, the Netherlands National Commission for UNESCO proposed, as a national contribution to the debates, a set of draft definitions of a certain number of terms relating to intangible cultural heritage. Therefore, the Netherlands National Commission formed a group of experts, who met several times so as to elaborate a draft glossary.
Finally, an group of international experts met at UNESCO from 10 to 12 June 2002, examined the draft glossary drawn up by the Dutch experts and finalised a glossary.
- Glossary (English-French)
Working documents
- List of documents
TER/CH/2002/WD/1: English|French - Draft agenda
TER/CH/2002/WD/2: English|French - Provisional list of participants
TER/CH/2002/WD/3: English-French - Draft glossary proposed by a group of Dutch experts convened by the bureau of the Netherlands National Commission for UNESCO
TER/CH/2002/WD/4: English|French
Information documents
- Definitions of “intangible cultural heritage” in use by various Member States
TER/CH/2002/INF/1: English-French - Working definitions of “intangible cultural heritage” in use by intergovernmental organizations
TER/CH/2002/INF/2: English-French - Working definitions of “intangible cultural heritage” in use by non-governmental organizations
TER/CH/2002/INF/3: English-French - Defining the Scope of the Term “Intangible Cultural Heritage”, by Peter Seitel
TER/CH/2002/INF/4: English|French - Various definitions contained in official UNESCO documents
TER/CH/2002/INF/5: English|French - Glossary of World Heritage Terms – A Glossary of Terms relating to the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention
TER/CH/2002/INF/6: English - Developing a New Standard-setting Instrument for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage: Elements for Consideration
TER/CH/2002/INF/7: English|French - Speech delivered by the Assistant Director-General for Culture at the opening session
TER/CH/2002/INF/8: English in preparation|French in preparation
First meeting of the select drafting group of a preliminary international convention on intangible cultural heritage20/22-03-2002, Paris (France)
TEXT TO BE REVISED
Afin de mettre en œuvre la résolution 31 C/30 adoptée par la Conférence générale à sa 31ème session, le Directeur général a convoqué un groupe de rédaction restreint sur l’avant-projet de convention internationale pour le patrimoine culturel immatériel (voir ordre du jour en annexe 1 du rapport final). Ce groupe de rédaction restreint était composé essentiellement de juristes (voir liste des participants en annexe 2 du rapport final).
- Discours de M. Koïchiro Matsuura, Directeur général de l’UNESCO (English|French)
- Rapport final (English|French - version anglaise à finaliser)
Information documents
- ‘Outline work plan’ prepared by Mohammed Bedjaoui: English|French
- 1989 Recommendation for the Safeguarding of Traditional Culture and Folklore : Multilingual
- Action plan for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage as approved by the international experts on the occasion of the International Round Table on “Intangible Cultural Heritage - Working Definitions” organized by UNESCO in Piedmont, Italy, from 14 to 17 March 2001: English|French
- Brochure of the First Proclamation of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity: English|French
- Convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage: Multilingual
- Developing a New Standard-setting Instrument for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage: Elements for Consideration, by Janet Blake: English|French
- Draft agenda: English|French
- Guide for the Presentation of Candidature Files for the Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity: English|French
- List of documents: English|French
- List of participants: English|French
- Operational guidelines for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention: English|French in preparation
- Oral report of the Chairperson of Commission IV
Document 31 C/INF.24: English|French - Preparation of a new international standard-setting instrument for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage
Document 31 C/43: English|French|Spanish|Russian|Chinese|Arabic - Recommendations adopted by the International Expert Meeting ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage: Priority Domains for an International Convention’, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22-24 January 2002: English|French
- Resolution adopted by the General Conference at its 31st session (31 C/Resolution 30): English|French|Spanish|Russian|Chinese|Arabic
Expert meeting on “Intangible Cultural Heritage: Priority Domains for an International Convention”22/24-01-2002, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
At this time the experts confirmed the definition adopted in Turin, while recommending that further consultation take place on questions of terminology. Further, the experts were of the opinion that a policy of safeguarding and promotion of the intangible cultural heritage at the international level should include a dual approach, based both on internal criteria of evaluation (value of the heritage for the identity of a social group), and on external criteria (such as respect for universally recognised human rights, or aptitude to stimulate intercultural dialogue).
Working documents
- List of documents
RIO/ITH/2002/WD/1: English|French - Provisional agenda
RIO/ITH/2002/WD/2: English|French - Annotated agenda
RIO/ITH/2002/WD/3: English|French - Provisional programme
RIO/ITH/2002/WD/4: English|French - Provisional list of participants
RIO/ITH/2002/WD/5: English - Comparative table of priority domains covered by regional and international intergovernmental organizations
RIO/ITH/2002/WD/6: English|French - Impacts of the first Proclamation of the nineteen masterpieces proclaimed oral and intangible heritage of humanity – critical analysis
RIO/ITH/2002/WD/7: English|French - Defining the Scope of the Term “Intangible Cultural Heritage”, by Peter Seitel
RIO/ITH/2002/WD/8: English|French - Priority domains selected for the Proclamation in the field of intangible cultural heritage and suggestions for a future international convention (A report on the Elche meeting of the Proclamation), by Ralph Regenvanu
RIO/ITH/2002/WD/9: English - Draft Action Plan
RIO/ITH/2002/WD/10: English|French - Statement of Her Excellency Mrs A. Bennani, Ambassador of Morocco to Unesco
RIO/ITH/2002/WD/11: English|French
Information documents
- Document 31 C/43: preparation of a new international standard-setting instrument for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage
RIO/ITH/2002/INF/1 pt. 1: English|French|Spanish|Russian|Chinese|Arabic - Resolution adopted by the General Conference at its 31st session (31 C/Resolution 30)
RIO/ITH/2002/INF/1 pt. 2: English|French|Spanish|Russian|Chinese|Arabic - UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity
RIO/ITH/2002/INF/2: Multilingual - A Global Assessment of the 1989 Recommendation on the Safeguarding of Traditional Culture and Folklore: Local Empowerment and International Co-operation, Washington D.C., June 1999. Final report
RIO/ITH/2002/INF/3: English|French - Developing a New Standard-setting Instrument for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage: Elements for Consideration
RIO/ITH/2002/INF/4: English|French - International Round Table on “Intangible Cultural Heritage: Working Definitions”, Turin, 14-17 March 2001. Final Report
RIO/ITH/2002/INF/5: English|French - International Jury for the Proclamation by UNESCO of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, Extraordinary Meeting, Elche, 21-23 September 2001. Final report
RIO/ITH/2002/INF/6: English|French - Chronological table of past activities for normative action and the Proclamation of masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity programme
RIO/ITH/2002/INF/7: English|French - Chronological table of future activities for normative action and the Proclamation of masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity programme
RIO/ITH/2002/INF/8: English|French - Rules of procedure concerning recommendations to Member States and international conventions covered by the terms of Article IV, paragraph 4 of the Constitution (abstract of UNESCO basic texts)
RIO/ITH/2002/INF/9: English in preparation|French in preparation - Brochure of the First Proclamation of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
RIO/ITH/2002/INF/10: English|French - Guide for the Presentation of Candidatures Files for the Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, and 1989 Recommendation for the Safeguarding of Traditional Culture and Folklore (annex III)
RIO/ITH/2002/INF/11: English|French - Definitions of “intangible cultural heritage” in use by various Member States
RIO/ITH/2002/INF/12: English-French - Working definitions of “intangible cultural heritage” in use by intergovernmental organizations
RIO/ITH/2002/INF/13: English-French - Working definitions of “intangible cultural heritage” in use by non-governmental organizations
RIO/ITH/2002/INF/14: English-French - Brazilian Decree N. 3.551 (4 August 2000) instituting the registry of cultural assets of an intangible nature
RIO/ITH/2002/INF/15: English|Spanish - 1972 Convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage
RIO/ITH/2002/INF/16: Multilingual - Operational guidelines for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention
RIO/ITH/2002/INF/17: English|French
International Round Table: Intangible Cultural Heritage, Working Definitions14/17-03-2001, Turin (Italy)
In March 2001, an international Round Table of experts was organised at Turin (Italy) for the purposes of drawing up an operational definition of the term “intangible cultural heritage”. UNESCO undertook a series of surveys directed to National Commissions of Member states and IGOs and NGOs, relating to the different terminologies in use and the existing national legislation in the field of intangible cultural heritage.
Drawing on the opinions expressed at the time of the Washington Conference, and on the results of the surveys, the Round Table drafted a new definition of the intangible cultural heritage, as “Peoples’ learned processes along with the knowledge, skills and creativity that inform and are developed by them, the products they create, and the resources, spaces and other aspects of social and natural context necessary to their sustainability; these processes provide living communities with a sense of continuity with previous generations and are important to cultural identity, as well as to the safeguarding of cultural diversity and creativity of humanity”.
Furthermore, the meeting recommended to UNESCO that it prepares a new international normative instrument on the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage, by specifying that certain of the main objectives, such as a) to conserve human creations that may disappear for ever b) offering them recognition at the world level, c) reinforcing identity, d) permitting social cooperation within groups and between groups, e) assuring historical continuity, f) promoting the creative diversity of humanity, g) facilitating access to the fruits of this creativity.
- Address by Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO (English|French)
- Final report (English|French)
Information documents
- Agenda: English
- Annotated agenda: English|French
- Consultation with Member States on ‘Identification (Inventorying) and Documentation of Folklore’: English-French
- Consultation with Member States on ‘Legal Protection of Folklore and Administrative Measures’: English-French
- Definitions in use by various member states: English-French
- Intangible cultural heritage: perceptions and enactments, by Lourdes Arizpe: English
- Intangible cultural heritage: working definitions, by Francesco Francioni: English
- Introduction to the draft preliminary study on the advisability of developing a standard-setting instrument for the protection of intangible cultural heritage, by Janet Blake: English
- Les composants de l’oralité, par Georges Condominas: English-French
- List of documents: English
- List of participants: English-French
- Notions of intangible cultural heritage: towards a UNESCO working definition, by Manuela Carneiro da Cunha: English
- Preliminary study into the advisability of developing a standard-setting instrument for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage (‘traditional culture and folklore’), by Janet Blake: English
- Proposed terminology for intangible cultural heritage: toward anthropological and folkloristic common sense in a global era, by Peter Seitel: English
- Provisional programme for the meeting: English
- Working definitions in use by intergovernmental organizations: English-French
- Working definitions in use by non-governmental organizations: English-French
- Writing and orality, by Juan Goytisolo: Spanish