ICH NGO Network

Publication of the Evaluation of UNESCO’s Action in the framework of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

This second evaluation focussing on the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (hereafter the 2003 Convention) marks the first follow-up exercise to the cycle of Internal Oversight Service evaluations of UNESCO’s six culture conventions. The main purpose of this 2021 evaluation was to generate findings, lessons learned, and recommendations regarding the relevance and effectiveness of UNESCO’s action in the framework of the 2003 Convention.As the second youngest UNESCO Culture Convention, the 2003 Convention has been one of the most successful, not only because it has reached nearly universal ratification only fifteen years after entering into force, but especially because it has succeeded in raising awareness of the distinct nature and importance of intangible cultural heritage. Stakeholders attribute this achievement largely to the Convention’s Representative List as well as to UNESCO’s vast capacity building programme.At the same time, the 2003 Convention has been a victim of its own success. As demand for UNESCO support grows, the Secretariat is unable to adequately respond to all requests and has had to give precedence to statutory work over important priorities that include strengthening capacity building and policy guidance as well as managing and communicating on the considerable amounts of knowledge generated around the Convention. Strategic decisions on priorities, particularly on the need to focus on programme support versus statutory requirements and on use of its limited resources will need to be made in the near future. Evaluation of UNESCO’s action in the framework of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Link: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000380015?2=null&queryId=2c4a5731-c4a2-4ff4-bfe3-884155eb8fee

● Summary

Title	Publication of the Evaluation of UNESCO’s Action in the framework of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
Place	FRANCE
Date	2022-02-16