Article
The Role of Living Heritage in TVET and Higher Education
The 2023 hybrid Annual Meeting of the South-East European Experts Network on Intangible Cultural Heritage was jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe and the Regional Centre for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in South-Eastern Europe (Sofia, Bulgaria). The 52 participants in attendance at the meeting comprised national focal points for intangible cultural heritage, as well as other experts representing Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Greece, Malta, Montenegro, Republic of Moldova, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, T眉rkiye, as well as Italy and Austria as observers.
Building on the subject and outcomes of the 2022 edition of the Annual Meeting, which focused on 鈥淟iving Heritage and Formal and Non-formal Education鈥, this year鈥檚 theme explored the importance of integrating living heritage into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and higher education curricula. The objective was to raise awareness about its significance for equitable sustainable development, cultural diversity, and individual and societal well-being, while enhancing the quality and relevance of educational contents for learners, therefore improving learning outcomes and the development of competencies.
In the opening session, the importance of collaboration and joining forces to work towards shared goals was stressed by Matteo Rosati, Officer-in-Charge of the Culture unit at the UNESCO Regional Bureau.
Sinisa Sesum, Head of the Antenna in Sarajevo of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe, further pointed out that 鈥渢his year鈥檚 Annual Meeting aimed to share and reflect upon experiences across South-East Europe and beyond, and to discuss measures to better integrate teaching and learning on and with intangible cultural heritage within TVET and higher education; this, for the mutual benefit of both intangible cultural heritage safeguarding and achieving quality education for all鈥.
Keynote speeches were delivered by representatives from the region. Madlen Serban, Secretary-General of the National Commission of Romania for UNESCO, intervened on the importance of integrating culture into TVET. Ahmet Erman Aral, Chairholder of the UNESCO Chair on Intangible Cultural Heritage in Formal and Informal Education at Ankara Hac谋 Bayram Veli University, T眉rkiye, debated on the potential role of intangible cultural heritage in higher education.
Participating experts agreed upon a series of shared conclusions and recommendations, and notably identified the following needs:
- to promote the educational potential of intangible cultural heritage for personal and professional development, empowering individuals to engage with global challenges;
- to explore coordination and synergies between Intangible Cultural Heritage and UNESCO's education-related programmes, including UNESCO Strategy for TVET, Education for Sustainable Development, , , UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks, UNESCO Associated Schools Network, and ;
- to mainstream the interaction between living heritage and education in the development of the new UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education;
- to leverage the presence and relevance of intangible cultural heritage within UNESCO designated sites, such as World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves, UNESCO Global Geoparks, and the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
Outcomes of the meeting revealed the relevance that intangible cultural heritage holds for both TVET and tertiary education; it may contribute to individual professionalisation and the development of transversal competencies, resulting in improved employability and the mitigation of exclusion and marginalisation of specific groups and individuals. This is foundational to achieving lifelong employability in our rapidly changing societies, in line with SDGs 4 and 6 covering inclusive education for all, and decent work and economic growth respectively.
Participants recalled the need for training on intangible cultural heritage in both TVET and tertiary education to align with the operational and ethical principles set out by the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
To achieve the desired integration, educators and institutions need more opportunities to attend specialised training, as well as guidance to create stronger alliances with intangible cultural heritage bearers and practitioners. A key precondition for fueling such an integration process is to strengthen cross-sectoral coordination among educational and cultural authorities, institutions, and experts, with a goal of also developing long-term structural strategies.
The meeting allowed a reflection on the progress achieved so far in the region, the priorities ahead, and the activities planned in the participating countries to celebrate the anniversary.
The meeting鈥檚 outcomes also highlighted the importance of networking and cooperation among intangible cultural heritage-related research programmes, thereby facilitating transnational and transdisciplinary exchanges. The need for improved dialogue between academic professionals and decision-makers was strongly encouraged, as well as the potential of access to EU funding opportunities to support ICH-related research in higher education.
Conclusions and recommendations stemming from the 17th Annual Meeting of the South-East European Experts Network on Intangible Cultural Heritage will further nurture the ongoing consultation process that UNESCO is leading on the development of a revised global Framework for Culture and Arts Education.
