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By using a global and comparative approach, the
Symposium had the following objectives:
1) To generate enhanced knowledge of traditional
ways in preserving cultural and biological diversity, and managing
natural resources.
2) To explore the linkages of tangible and intangible heritage in
the light of nature-culture interactions.
3) To preserve traditional knowledge of indigenous and local communities
on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity
and to increase respect for traditional knowledge in view of an
ethical maintenance of cultural diversity and the creation of economic
and social benefits for indigenous and local communities; to prevent
adverse impacts on the traditional knowledge and lifestyles of indigenous
and local communities concerned in the context of the management
of sacred sites.
4) To publish the symposium proceedings with case studies on community-based
conservation areas in different world regions with a clear assessment
of the effectiveness of traditional practices in the conservation
of the environment and its species diversity.
5) To formulate recommendations on Guidelines for appropriate environmental
conservation and sustainable development based on traditional beliefs
and socio-cultural acceptance, including management of cultural
landscapes and sacred natural sites.
6) To open new perspectives for international collaboration to enhance
management and conservation of sacred natural sites and associative
cultural landscapes.
By acclamation, symposium participants adopted
the 'Tokyo Declaration' (English
/ French / Japanese
/ Spanish).
Symposium Programme
Summary reports of the nine symposium sessions
- Session 1: Chairperson:
Mr Allen Putney Coordinator and Rapporteur: Mr Thomas Schaaf
- Session 2: Chairperson:
Ms Gloria Pungetti Coordinator and Rapporteur: Mr Allen Putney
- Session 3: Chairperson:
Mr Gonzalo Oviedo Coordinator and Rapporteur: Mr Luohui Liang
- Session 4: Chairperson:
Mr Fekri Hassan Coordinators and Rapporteurs: Mr Alexander Otte
and Ms Lisa Hiwasaki
- Session 5: Chairperson:
Mr Jim Enote Coordinators and Rapporteurs: Mr Alexander Otte and
Ms Lisa Hiwasaki
- Session 6: Chairperson:
Mr Parviz Koohafkan Coordinator and Rapporteur: Mr Maharaj Muthoo
- Session 7: Chairperson:
Mr Edwin Bernbaum Coordinator and Rapporteur: Ms Mechtild Rossler
- Session 8: Chairperson:
Mr Elias Mujica Coordinator and Rapporteur: Ms Mechtild Rossler
- Session 9: Chairperson:
Mr William Langeveldt Coordinators and Rapporteurs: Ms Hui Lu
and Mr John Scott
- Proceedings of the Tokyo Symposium (Full text)
Through a series of presentations on case studies
and ensuing discussions related to the conservation and management
of sacred natural sites and cultural landscapes, the Symposium formulated
recommendations on the use of guidelines for decision-makers. Such
guidelines have been formulated by UNESCO and IUCN as well as by
the Secretariat of the CBD.
(1) UNESCO/IUCN Working Guidelines
The UNESCO-MAB "International Workshop on the Importance of
Sacred Natural Sites for Biodiversity Conservation", which
was held at Kunming and Xishuangbanna Biosphere Reserve (China)
in February 2003, provided the basis for the preparation of 'Working
Guidelines for the Management of Sacred Natural Sites', in particular
with regard to their importance for nature conservation. The working
guidelines were presented at the Third World Parks Congress (Durban,
South Africa, September 2003) for comments and further refinement.
(2) CBD's Akwé:Kon Voluntary Guidelines
Contracting Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity have
adopted, and the CBD Secretariat has published, the 'Akwé:Kon
Voluntary Guidelines for the Conduct of Cultural, Environmental
and Social Impact Assessment regarding Developments Proposed to
take place on, or which are likely to Impact on Sacred Sites and
on Lands and Waters Traditionally Occupied or Used by Indigenous
and Local Communities'.
(3) The Yamato Declaration on Integrated Approaches
for Safeguarding Tangible and Intangible Heritage
The International Conference on the Safeguarding of Tangible and
Intangible Heritage, 20-23 October 2004, Nara, Japan, was inaugurated
by the Director-General of UNESCO at the occasion of the 40th Anniversary
of the Venice Charter (1964) and of that of the 10th Anniversary
of the Nara Conference on Authenticity (1994), and joined together
42 experts specializing in the safeguarding of tangible and intangible
heritage from 23 countries from all over the world.
The Yamato Declaration is the importance of safeguarding
both tangible and intangible heritage in their own right, taking
into account their interdependence but also their distinctive characters.
(4) Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage
The 2003 Convention defines Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) as
the practices, representations, expressions, as well as the knowledge
and skills, that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals
recognise as part of their cultural heritage.
The definition also indicates that the ICH to be safeguarded
by this Convention:
- is transmitted from generation to generation;
- is constantly recreated by communities and groups, in response
to their environment, their interaction with nature, and their
history;
- provides communities and groups with a sense of identity and
continuity;
- promotes respect for cultural diversity and human creativity;
- is compatible with international human rights instruments;
- complies with the requirements of mutual respect among communities,
and of sustainable development.
- 2003 Convention. Full text (English
/ French
/ Spanish
/ Russian
/ Arabic
/ Chinese)
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