Nicaragua strengthens its capacities for community-based inventories of intangible cultural heritage

This workshop aims to strengthen the knowledge and capacities of technical actors in multiple municipalities and autonomous regions of Nicaragua in the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage through the elaboration of inventories at the local level. Participants include representatives of local governments and community bearers, as well as representatives of the Directorate of Cultural Heritage of the Nicaraguan Institute of Culture, and the National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO.

The workshop is facilitated by Ms Adriana Molano, member of the Network of Facilitators of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Mr Salomón Bazbaz. The opening of the workshop was attended by the architect Luis Morales Alonso, Director of the Nicaraguan Institute of Culture, Ms Caroline Munier, Culture Programme Specialist of the UNESCO Cluster Office in San Jose, and Mr Arturo Collado, Secretary of the Nicaraguan Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO.

By reinforcing theoretical knowledge and carrying out practical exercises, participants will have the opportunity to review the basic notions of the 2003 Convention and deepen the methodological aspects of inventory making, with a focus on local territoriality and community participation. Having the knowledge and the appropriate technical tools to draw up inventories is essential to safeguard the great diversity of living cultural expressions that exist in Nicaragua.

Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage must be an inclusive process, in which communities and tradition-bearers are at the centre. Informed consent and active participation in decision-making by the community are the key which will allow the process of intangible cultural heritage safeguarding to contribute to improving people’s quality of life.
Caroline Munier, Culture Programme Specialist UNESCO San Jose

UNESCO stresses that intangible cultural heritage can be a powerful tool for the achievement of the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Indeed, it not only helps to maintain the social fabric of communities and strengthen social cohesion, but can also contribute to economic growth through sustainable cultural tourism and creative and cultural industries. Moreover, traditional practices and knowledge can be a source of nature-based solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change and to promote more sustainable lifestyles.

UNESCO’s Participation Programme is a mechanism to support Member States by providing them with capacities to achieve objectives directly related to the Organization’s strategic priorities.