Why Local Governments Matter in Implementing the UNESCO 2003 Convention : the Case for ICCN

Since the adoption of the UNESCO 2003 Convention, thesafeguarding of intangible cultural heritage has becomemore systematic and more active. The Convention stressedthe role of local communities, and more local governmentsaround the world now actively participate in safeguardingand promoting their local intangible culture for variouspurposes. The Inter-City Intangible Cultural CooperationNetwork (ICCN) was established in 2008 on the initiative ofGangneung City in the Republic of Korea to help localgovernments around the world make a concerted effort tosafeguard their ICH while developing their cities. There aretwo notable achievements of the ICCN; firstly, theempowerment of local governments and communitiesthrough the ICCN conferences, and secondly, a positiveimpact on local development through the hosting of the ICCNFestival. Holding ICCN conferences gives local governmentsa forum where all information can be shared and localchallenges discussed. The ICCN conferences empower localcommunities and government in the safeguarding of localICH as they not only raise awareness of issues but also setpriorities and draw attention and support from theinternational community and central governments. The ICCNFestivals are key cultural events for celebrating world ICH,and have had a positive effect on the economic, tourism andsocio-cultural sectors of those local governments hostingthem. The ICCN Festivals are increasingly significant as theyuphold the spirit of the UNESCO Convention - safeguardingand respecting intangible cultural heritage, recognising theimportance of ICH, increasing mutual understanding on aninternational level and realising international cooperation. KCI Citation Count: 0