There are many factors affecting our intangible heritage. This workshop will consider some of the pros and cons of several of these factors, namely:
Environment
Museums and cultural institutions should use a multi-disciplinary and holistic approach when addressing intangible heritage since many cultural practices and indigenous knowledge systems cannot be de-linked from the environment (cultural, social, political, ecological, economical, technological).
Globalization
Cultural, social, economic and institutional globalization has brought opportunities and challenges. What are these? How can museums and cultural institutions help us manage the cultural homogenization that creeps in with globalization? How is globalization expressed in museum partnerships, networks and international forums?
Tourism
The rise of cultural tourism, domestic and international, presents important opportunities and challenges for museums and cultural institutions in relation to cultural heritage. At the same time, there is a risk of negative exploitation and loss of authenticity. How can museums and cultural institutions manage and mediate these issues?
ICT
New methods of documentation, recording, storage and dissemination are being developed (e.g. satellite radio, NICTs). What are the impacts of these on the protection and promotion of our intangible heritage? Digitization and web-based access to collections present important new opportunities and challenges. What opportunities and challenges do radio, television and cinema present to museums and cultural institutions as they turn their attention to intangible heritage?
Cultural appropriateness
Museums have been seen as places of cultural preservation and promotion. How can they make policies about and evaluate the demands of access and display in relation to intangible heritage, especially where there are cultural proscriptions and taboos surrounding certain intangible heritage. What might constitute appropriate ethics?
Further reading on Intangible heritage online:
