Two main tasks
NGO’s that are accredited to the UNESCO Convention have to main tasks:
- Internationally: To advise the Intergovernmental Committee in all issues relating to the implementation of the UNESCO Convention.
- Nationally: On a national level UNESCO expects these NGO’s to play an important role in the support of the other member states in their identification and inventory of intangible cultural heritage and the support of the heritage bearers and heritage communities. For more information on the international and national advisory tasks of accredited NGO’s, see the UNESCO website.
International tasks
Internationally, the Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage is active in the ICH-NGO Forum, the international consultative body of the NGO’s, accredited to UNESCO. The Centre participates in the Working Group Heritage Alive and coordinates the activities of the Working Group Research. For more information on the ICH-NGO Forum see: www.ichngoforum.org.
The Centre actively carries out its individual advisory tasks. The most important advisory body which NGO’s can participate in, is the Evaluation Body, which reviews the international nominations. In 2015 the Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage participated in this important advisory body.
National tasks
On the national level the Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage fulfils a significant role in the coordination of the implementation of the UNESCO Convention and, among others things, coordinates the Inventory Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Netherlands.
Finally, the Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage advises the Dutch government on its intangible cultural heritage policy. By order of the ministry, the Centre coordinates the nominations for the international lists, like the nomination of the Craft of the Miller in 2015/2016.