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Nov 06 2012 17:14   by ICCN / hit 2,953

[ICCN GA] Gangneung Declaration

2012 ICCN General Assembly (International Roundtable of Mayors)
Gangneung, Republic of Korea
Date: 21-24 October 2012, Venue: Lakai Convention Center
 
Declaration
 
We, representatives of the ICCN city members, mayors, full and associate members and representatives of NGOs and the participants of the General Assembly,
 
Express our gratitude to the host city and organizers, who supported this General Assembly with their welcome, hospitality and excellent organization,
 
Emphasize the importance of safeguarding the world Intangible Cultural Heritage, which is inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants, and its role in contributing to each community’s sense of identity, sustainable local development and promoting cultural peace,
 
Highlight that local governments are the significant authority of the communities for identification, safeguarding and transmission and documentation,
 
Emphasize that a better understanding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of different societies helps people and governments by promoting intercultural dialogue and mutual respect,
 
Recall that NGOs, experts, centers of expertise and research institutes play vital roles in the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage,
 
Attach great importance to enhance the cooperation and coordination with UNESCO as a key organization in the field of culture
 
Take into account the following documents:
- UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity
- The UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

Call for interactive cooperation at local, national and international levels with recognition that local governments stand at the forefront for the safeguarding and promotion of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and for protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expression,

We, the mayors, full and associate members of the ICCN and other participants of the 2012 ICCN General Assembly call on:

1- The ICCN Members and other local authorities
a) To establish a positive environment to produce effective and creative cultural policies for the safeguarding and revitalization of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
b) To assure proper funding for identification, safeguarding, transmission , documentation and education of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
c) To develop a concrete and continuing communication method with communities and Non Governmental Organizations who safeguard, transmit and revitalize the Intangible Cultural Heritage
d) To raise awareness of the Intangible Cultural Heritage among the youth through the formation of the Youth Forum
e) To actively involve women in all aspects of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, as called for in convention
f) To suggest joint projects among ICCN members for sharing and promoting the values of the Intangible Cultural Heritage at the international level through organizing cultural festivals, cultural partnership initiative 
g) To inform the central bodies and national commissions for UNESCO of the members countries of this Declaration
h) To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013 and encourage the participation of communities and intangible cultural bearers in these celebrations to contribute to the widest possible dissemination of this event.

2- The Policy Makers
a) To recognize their responsibility to promote and safeguard the Intangible Cultural Heritage in their territories by providing a legal, political and economic environment that will support the efforts of local governments
b) To encourage the local authorities  to participate in the activities of the ICCN to enhance their capacity in the safeguarding and promotion of their Intangible Cultural Heritage

3- The ICCN Secretariat
a) To disseminate relevant information on Intangible Cultural Heritage including case studies, recommendations and conference papers online
b) To actively encourage the exchange of knowledge and information and the establishment of appropriate networks and partnership program
c) To enlarge the next meeting of this network to the participation of potential new members from local governments and NGOs in order to explore the opportunities for the promotion of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
d) To send letters to concerned cities regarding their interest to join ICCN following the nominations of new elements on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists of 2003 Convention and the Register of Best Safeguarding Practices
 
We, the participants of this General Assembly, submit this declaration to the ICCN Secretariat to be brought to the attention of the authorities, departments, or bodies responsible for matters relating to the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
 
 
Adopted 2012 Oct. 23