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Workshop intangible heritage

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Workshop intangible heritage operates as lead organisation for safeguarding living heritage (or: ICH) in Flanders involving a wide network with many stakeholders. It has elaborated an encompassing approach aimed at increasing living heritage diversity and visibility, enhancing safeguarding of ICH, developing knowledge on living heritage via programmes for training and networking, and taking on an attitude of pacesetting and collaboration in the international field. Together with the Flemish government the NGO co-manages the participatory website immaterieelerfgoed.be for ICH in Flanders. 

Helping roll out the UNESCO 2003 Convention’s goals is a major part of the organisation’s commitment and work, and its experts are often consulted for ICH expertise, policy advice and capacity building in Belgium and internationally. From 2019 to 2023 the NGO was an advisory member of the Evaluation Body for the 2003 Convention.

Relevant projects and initiatives 

Some highlights of the organisation's work:

  • coordinating the online Platform and networks for safeguarding ICH in Flanders www.immaterieelerfgoed.be 
  • policies and periodic reporting related to the 2003 Convention (see link) 
  • lead role in developing the ICH NGO Forum (2012-2018)
  • lead partner for the ICH and Museums Project (IMP) in Europe (2017-2020) and developing ICH within the heritage sector more broadly (intersecting with collection management, digitization, …)  
  • a series of pilot projects that stimulated new policies for living heritage and crafts in particular - Scholarships for crafts, Handmade in Bruges programme, Crafting Futures, Tracks4Crafts...  
  • vice-chair of the Flemish UNESCO Commission
  • coordinator of the international working group and webdossier ICH and sustainable tourism of the ICH NGO Forum (since 2019)
  • active partner in launching Wiki Loves Living Heritage (2023)

Mission 

Workshop intangible heritage is a pacesetter for safeguarding living heritage in Flanders. We highlight and foster its diversity in today’s society. We are a hub for the many stakeholders who want to ensure the future of this heritage: heritage communities, policy makers, the heritage sector and the growing range of people and organisations from various backgrounds and sectors. We work in Flanders and network internationally. 

Vision

Workshop intangible heritage views living heritage as practical wisdom that has grown throughout generations of people and forms an inspiring, valuable resource in moving towards sustainable futures. We foster awareness, dialogue, learning together and celebrating cultural diversity. 

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