An international forum focused on the promotion of intangible cultural heritage will be held in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, on October 17-18. Co-hosted by the Korea Heritage Service and UNESCO’s Asia-Pacific Office for Intangible Cultural Heritage, the two-day event marks the eighth edition of this annual meeting. This year’s forum will center on the impact of migration on cultural identity and the role that intangible cultural heritage plays in preserving cultural diversity.
With over 30 participants from 14 countries, including academics, UNESCO officials, and experts from related organizations, the forum will delve into how communities have sustained their cultural identities amid migration and explore ways in which intangible cultural heritage can support inclusive societies.
Feng Jing, director of UNESCO’s Bangkok office, will open the event with a keynote speech, addressing the significance of intangible cultural heritage in today’s rapidly shifting global landscape. The first session will follow under the theme "Intangible Cultural Heritage as Records of Human Lives Amid the History of Migration," exploring the cultural imprints left by human migration across history.
The second session will tackle the issue of integration and inclusion, discussing how intangible cultural heritage can serve as a tool to foster more inclusive migrant societies. This discussion is timely, as countries around the world continue to grapple with issues related to migration, integration, and cultural diversity. The conversation will focus on how traditional practices, arts, and customs can contribute to building social cohesion.
A key highlight of the forum will be the third session, which will consider the challenges and opportunities related to transmitting intangible cultural heritage in the context of recent migration trends. As migration patterns evolve, there are new questions about how to preserve and pass down intangible cultural heritage to future generations.
Marie McAuliffe, head of migration research and publications at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), will provide additional insights during a special lecture titled "An Elevated Agenda for Migration: Migration and the Pact for the Future." Her address will highlight the need for global cooperation on migration policies and the vital role of cultural heritage in shaping inclusive policies that benefit both migrants and host communities.
According to the Korea Heritage Service, this year’s forum aims to shed light on the critical role intangible cultural heritage has played in maintaining cultural diversity and promoting peace between different communities throughout migration history. The forum also seeks to create a platform for future discussions on how intangible cultural heritage can further advance cultural understanding in a globalized world.
By focusing on the intersection of migration and intangible cultural heritage, the event underscores the importance of safeguarding traditional knowledge and practices, especially in times of significant social and demographic change. The discussions at the forum will contribute to a broader understanding of how cultural heritage can act as a bridge between cultures and help foster a more inclusive global society.
The forum's findings and discussions are expected to inspire new initiatives and policies aimed at preserving intangible cultural heritage while supporting diverse and inclusive societies in the future.
Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com
Courtesy of Korea Heritage Service
An international forum focused on the promotion of intangible cultural heritage will be held in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, on October 17-18. Co-hosted by the Korea Heritage Service and UNESCO’s Asia-Pacific Office for Intangible Cultural Heritage, the two-day event marks the eighth edition of this annual meeting. This year’s forum will center on the impact of migration on cultural identity and the role that intangible cultural heritage plays in preserving cultural diversity.
With over 30 participants from 14 countries, including academics, UNESCO officials, and experts from related organizations, the forum will delve into how communities have sustained their cultural identities amid migration and explore ways in which intangible cultural heritage can support inclusive societies.
Feng Jing, director of UNESCO’s Bangkok office, will open the event with a keynote speech, addressing the significance of intangible cultural heritage in today’s rapidly shifting global landscape. The first session will follow under the theme "Intangible Cultural Heritage as Records of Human Lives Amid the History of Migration," exploring the cultural imprints left by human migration across history.
The second session will tackle the issue of integration and inclusion, discussing how intangible cultural heritage can serve as a tool to foster more inclusive migrant societies. This discussion is timely, as countries around the world continue to grapple with issues related to migration, integration, and cultural diversity. The conversation will focus on how traditional practices, arts, and customs can contribute to building social cohesion.
A key highlight of the forum will be the third session, which will consider the challenges and opportunities related to transmitting intangible cultural heritage in the context of recent migration trends. As migration patterns evolve, there are new questions about how to preserve and pass down intangible cultural heritage to future generations.
Marie McAuliffe, head of migration research and publications at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), will provide additional insights during a special lecture titled "An Elevated Agenda for Migration: Migration and the Pact for the Future." Her address will highlight the need for global cooperation on migration policies and the vital role of cultural heritage in shaping inclusive policies that benefit both migrants and host communities.
According to the Korea Heritage Service, this year’s forum aims to shed light on the critical role intangible cultural heritage has played in maintaining cultural diversity and promoting peace between different communities throughout migration history. The forum also seeks to create a platform for future discussions on how intangible cultural heritage can further advance cultural understanding in a globalized world.
By focusing on the intersection of migration and intangible cultural heritage, the event underscores the importance of safeguarding traditional knowledge and practices, especially in times of significant social and demographic change. The discussions at the forum will contribute to a broader understanding of how cultural heritage can act as a bridge between cultures and help foster a more inclusive global society.
The forum's findings and discussions are expected to inspire new initiatives and policies aimed at preserving intangible cultural heritage while supporting diverse and inclusive societies in the future.
