This partnership was realised thanks to Samsung’s interest in making available its corporate resources and networks for the sake of cultural diversity, and in particular for the intangible heritage of the world. UNESCO appreciates this support from the private sector, the first of its kind in the field of intangible heritage.

The overall aim of this Partnership is to increase the awareness of the importance of the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage, by promoting visibility of UNESCO’s efforts in this field, notably those which aim at the implementation of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage adopted in 2003. We have carried out or are going to carry out the following activities in this Partnership framework.

  • Production of audiovisual contents on the intangible cultural heritage by BBC World Ltd. (UK)
    A one-hour documentary programme Our Living Heritage was produced by BBC in collaboration with UNESCO and aired on the BBC World News on 22 and 23 January. In addition, a series of one-minute vignettes on different elements of intangible cultural heritage was made for more frequent dissemination on the same channel. These materials and their copyrights were donated to UNESCO for further awareness-raising activities.

  • Financing of a Manual on the implementation of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
    Upon the adoption of the Convention in 2003 at its 32nd General Conference, UNESCO started to prepare a set of Manuals to explain the working of the Convention as well as to assist Member States in developing policies and in carrying out actual activities for the purpose of safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage. One volume of these Manuals will be published with Samsung’s financial contribution.

  • Development of a photo series of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
    UNESCO proclaimed, for the first time in 2001, 19 cultural expressions and spaces that have outstanding value as diverse examples of the intangible cultural heritage of the world. The second proclamation took place in 2003, when 28 Masterpieces were added to the list. To further promote this outstanding programme, thus the entire efforts and spirit of UNESCO’s activities in this field, a collection of high-quality photos of Masterpieces will be created.

  • Organisation of a special event Intangible Heritage Weeks in the United Nations Pavilion in EXPO AICHI 2005 (Japan)
    UNESCO will organise a special event consisting of an exhibition, performances, lectures and workshops, to celebrate the world’s intangible cultural heritage as well as to provide visitors of the EXPO, especially young people, with knowledge concerning various efforts undertaken worldwide for its safeguarding. A considerable part of this event will be realised in the framework of the UNESCO-Samsung Partnership.

  • Renovation of the Intangible Heritage Homepage in the UNESCO website
    The homepage of the Intangible Heritage Section is to function as a full-fledged clearinghouse providing varied information for policy makers, researchers, and other actors. A renovation of the homepage is envisaged to respond to such needs, and Samsung’s contribution will help in this domain.

Lead Organization / Sector / Office UNESCO Intangible Heritage Section / Bureau of Public Information / Sector for External Relations and Cooperation

Start Date 2005-12-28 10:00 am

End Date 2005-12-31 10:00 am Redirection