This documentary explores the cultural and spiritual significance of Uma Lulik (Sacred Houses) in Timor-Leste, which serve as powerful symbols of Timorese identity passed down through generations. These sacred houses are often located in high, remote areas—both for protection and to maintain spiritual connection—and are key centers for preserving tangible and intangible cultural heritage, such as sacred water sources, stones, tombs, and rituals.\n\nThe film highlights the distinct architectural features of Uma Lulik, such as the male and female wooden pillars (Ai-rin Mane and Ai-rin Feto), which carry profound cultural meanings. It explains the differences between Uma Lulik and Uma Fukun—supporting clan houses—and Uma To’os, sacred houses used by Timorese communities living in urban areas like Dili.\n\nThrough interviews with cultural custodians like Tiu Eugénio J. Sarmento and Tiu João dos Santos Hohulu, viewers gain insights into construction rituals, traditional ceremonies, and the symbolic meanings embedded in the sacred architecture. These include elaborate community efforts to transport and erect wooden pillars, sacrificial offerings, and spiritual dances that mark the creation of Uma Lulik.\n\nThe video also features the Knua Lulik Hohulu in Fatubessi, a living example of cultural continuity, where traditions are upheld by local leaders through collective roles and ancestral knowledge.\n\nFinally, the documentary emphasizes the efforts of the Government of Timor-Leste, particularly through the Secretary of State for Arts and Culture, to safeguard and promote sacred cultural sites. Through active community engagement and support for traditional practices, these initiatives aim to ensure the intergenerational transmission of cultural memory and identity, while also encouraging cultural tourism.

Palav culture and traditions have been included into the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016. Palov (or Osh) is the most beloved and highly regarded food among Uzbeks. It is spread in all regions of Uzbekistan. Palov accompanies Uzbeks throughout their lives. It is prepared on different occasions. These are: on the occasion of the birth of the first child (aqiqa); on the occasion of circumcision ceremony (sunnat toyi); on the occasion of engagement ceremony (fotiha oshi); on the occasion of seeing off a bride to the house of a groom (qiz oshi); in connection with wedding, for men only (nikah oshi); in connection with wedding, for women only (khotin oshi); after wedding, only for friends of a groom (kuyav oshi); on the occasion of child’s birth and carrying out “ beshikkasolish” ritual (beshik toyi oshi); on the occasion of commemoration of the deceased (ehsan oshi); on the occasion of anniversary of death day (yiloshi). Thus it serves to unite people for different events.

The profound difficulties international ICH community faces during the Corona pandemic is truly worrisome. For the NGOs of Korea, the common factor in dealing with the pandemic was for the ICH communities to absorb online activities and become fluent in online platforms for ICH safeguarding. But Bridging the digital gap is still remaining. So Hanhee Hahm, presented experience of COVID-19 and engagement of her with the ICH Community and counter measures against the pandemic society.

All aspects of curriculum development at the University of the South Pacific requires intra-regional work especially within and across our 12 member countries. These are Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. This engagement includes both the needs assessment and endorsement of new courses and programmes. For the Professional Certificate, the UNESCO Pacific Heritage Hub Steering committee and UNESCO Apia Office were also instrumental in development. The programme design and proposed courses and structure were also presented at the 2016 and 2018 Council of Pacific Arts Meeting and the Pacific Culture Minister’s Meetings held in Guam and Fiji Respectively. We have not thus far leaned into inter-regional cooperation but are exploring the potential for this after the first roll out of the programme to determine what opportunities might exist for inter-regional cooperation and exchange. Dr Frances C Koya Vaka’uta talks about strengthening heritage management capacity in the Pacific Islands. \n\nASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR. FRANCES C. KOYA VAKA’UTA is Director of the Oceania Center for Arts, Culture and Pacific Studies and the Pacific Heritage Hub, at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva.

A growing interest in cultural heritage by the corporate sector has offered new opportunities to safeguard, protect, and present both tangible and intangible heritage. Through strategic investments of capital, expertise, and technology into the cultural sector, corporations offer an opportunity to revitalize a sector beleaguered with precarious government funding and unpredictable public support. Nicholas Pozek stressed that the cultural sector must continue to approach the commoditization and commodification of cultural goods with skepticism.

Online Seminar on Cultural Diversity and Global Citizenship Education (GCED) was organized to think about the importance of having a better grasp of how ICH and cultural diversity bring our students, teachers, and schools closer to quality education, particularly when we make our efforts toward global citizenship education. \n\nPresentation 4 Case Study – Teachers Training Course for GCED in Worldvision by Ms. Sang Eun Nam, Advocacy & Public Engagement Director, Worldvision Korea by Ms. Sang Eun Nam, Advocacy & Public Engagement Director, Worldvision Korea