Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) & Peacemaking
Intangible Cultural Heritage or ICH is a term that refers to the system of traditions or living expressions belonging to a community of people and transmitted to their descendents. It may include oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe or the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts.
ICH is fundamental for maintaining cultural diversity in the face of growing globalization and it is a key factor in conflict prevention because it fosters intercultural dialogue, empowers communities to acknowledge the value of their own identity, territory, practices, and rights, and encourages mutual respect for other ways of life. In conflict or emergencies, ICH ignites resilience, supporting locals to strengthen their social bonds, fostering trust, collaboration, communication, and collective well-being, and sustaining them to go through challenges and difficulties.
The module invited the participants to get in touch with some aspects of Colombian traditional heritage like weaving techniques from indigenous women of La Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta and dances such as Currulao, Cumbia and Salsa. Moreover, the sessions actively involved the participants in approaching ICH practices by learning and sharing their knowledge. In addition, activities of sensitization and bodily connection were included to foster body empathy and inspire strategies for collaborating beyond language barriers.
Through a bodily and creative approach, the participants were invited to embody core human values such as empathy, resilience, self-awareness, emotional management, collaborative strategies, and deep listening which are at the base of non-violent ways of conflict resolution. Bodily and art-based tools were fundamental to overcoming language and cultural barriers and fostering a deeper sense of integration, mutual connection, and belonging.
The program envisaged a partnership between Embodying Reconciliation, a Colombian NGO accredited by Unesco that deals with peacemaking through arts and culture, and HVPM – Sport University from Amravati Maharashtra, India.
This project was made possible and funded by the JICUF Grant. A special thanks goes also to Rotary Peace Fellowship and ICU for the support.