On 13–15 February 2024, UNU-IAS experts contributed to a side event of the UNESCO World Conference on Culture and Arts Education 2024 in Abu Dhabi. Jerome Silla (Research Associate, UNU-IAS) and Sawaros Thanapornsangsuth (Research Consultant, UNU-IAS) delivered a presentation summarizing a three-year project to enhance the safeguarding and transmission of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in Luang Prabang, Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
Emphasizing the whole-of-society approach as a critical means to enhance and safeguard cultural heritage, they discussed fostering identity and inclusion through cultural transmission, and leveraging digital tools in safeguarding ICH. By fostering collaboration among the government, local NGOs, educators and international development agencies, the power of digital platforms can be harnessed to democratize access to culture education.
The conference convened culture and education stakeholders from around the world, including 125 representatives of UNESCO Member States, who adopted the UNESCO Framework for Culture and the Arts Education — a global initiative ensuring the integration of culture and the arts in education policies and programmes worldwide.
