21st October 2016 A five days Community – Based Inventorying Workshop on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) will take place on the 24th – 28th October, at the Tonga National Cultural Centre (Tofoa). The workshop is jointly sponsored and organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Culture and Youth Division and CRIHAP (International Training Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia- Pacific Region under the Auspices of UNESCO).
This workshop will be conducted by the Culture and Youth Division and as part of their working mandates which links to the outcome objectives and strategies of the Tonga Strategic Development Framework 2015 – 2025. It is essential that our Island nation protects our cultural identity, our values and transmit our culture to future generations.
This workshop strives to achieve these objectives:
- To enhance the capacities in the field of safeguarding ICH, in particular ICH inventory under the 2003 Conventions which includes practical skills in inventory.
- To raise awareness about the value and diversity of the ICH to ensure community participation and ownership of such activities
In April 2010, Tonga signed the UNESCO 2003 Convention for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This particular workshop will facilitate discussions and make cooperative efforts in safeguarding ICH and exploring possible measures to protect ICH in all communities.
Participants from Vava’u, Ha’apai, ‘Eua and Tongatapu will be participating this one week workshop at the Tonga National Cultural Centre. The newly appointed Minister for Internal Affairs – Hon. Penisimani ‘Epenisa Fifita will be the guest of honor for this Community – based Inventorying Workshop.
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Issued by the: Ministry of Internal Affairs, Culture and Youth Division