In this modern times, the influence of contemporary culture and lifestyle have enveloped communities and societies to the very core and has eroded the foundation of traditional beliefs, values and systems of livelihood with some communities being completely destroyed. Language is also overwhelmed by colonial and modern colloquial which have deprived the true meaning of elements of ICH, its expressions and the sanctity of its observance. Ritual which the paper will examine inculcates ceremonies and elaborate practices with varied significance that has been the subject of continuous debate as to its relevance, enormous resources invested, economic factor and social cost. This assessment is a comparative contextualizing of the ancient ritual of JongmyoJerye in the traditional Korean society and that of the Veibuli (veivagunuvi) vakavanuapracticed in the iTaukei (indigenous Fijian) community. These two ceremonies, I will argue, although reflect evolving intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and maybe distinctive have through time experienced changes and these purported transformations is manifested in the style, processes, and practice which to a greater extent affect in some way the mystical powers and positive wave of spiritual “luck” that is derived from dedicated and strict observance of such rituals; it is still maintained with its principles emphasized. Similarly it will be further argued that intangible cultural heritage safeguarding measures put in place by the communities, institutions and governments of both societies have to a greater extent allow for the continuity, recognition, observance and appreciation of the ceremonies in modern societies.

The information society built on the development of information and communication technology (ICT) is bringing about revolutionary change to humanity, such as the smooth dissemination of knowledge and information, promotion of communication, and an enhanced quality of living even if accompanied by other negative effects. Growing access to the internet is completely revising the very meaning of information services, thus creating a new environment. The possibilities of networking, mutual cooperation, and digitization created in this environment is effecting fundamental change in the functions of information acquisition, storage, and dissemination.\nSuch development in ICT presents new approaches in the field of cultural heritage as well. The appropriate utilization of ICT in the safeguarding and promotion of ICH is inspiring hope for a whole new ICH safeguarding system, going beyond traditional methods. Making ICH-related knowledge and information more accessible and usable to a larger public through ICT will contribute to ICH safeguarding and cultural diversity.

Co-orgarnized by ICHCAP and Hue Monuments Conservation Centre (HMCC), this year’s Asia-Pacific ICH NGO Conference was held in Hue, Vietnam under the theme of ICH NGOs towards Sustainable Development of Communities.

Culture is chiefly perceived as a driving force for sustainable development in the UN’s action plan for people, planet, and prosperity entitled “Transforming Our World: 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’. In this context, there is a foreseeable strength in ICH to generate means for sustainable development. The following issues are considered as starting points of discussion: (1) the methods of aligning commercial activities with ICH safeguarding activities, (2) the possible risks to ICH viability and the ways in which they can be mitigated, and (3) the prospect of moving toward and maintaining a mutual relationship between ICH Safeguarding and development policies.\nKeeping the grassroots level highly pertinent in Session 3, we intend to put various NGOs activities at the center of the discussion, particularly in light of our pursuit to assess their presence in sustainable tourism development and eco‐tourism, looking into the possibility of expanding the role of NGOs in areas such as cultural mapping and gender equality. To end, a plenary discussion will be held. The outcome document will be circulated to share the discussion points of and lessons learned from the meeting.

Culture is the very essence of our existence—it reflects our history, our language, our tradition and our beliefs. However, with the wind of globalization and change, our cultures and traditions do not remain static, but evolve overtime. Papua New Guinea (PNG), being one of the most culturally rich and diverse countries in the world, wherein about ninety percent of its approximate six million people speak over 850 distinct languages and live in their respective social structures in their cultural communities, generally rely on their environment to ensure their livelihood. Papua New Guineans’ daily relationship among each other coupled with the evolving environment depicts a high appreciation of their unique cultures and traditions. On the contrary, it is on the verge of disappearing.

Since our establishment in Guam in 2004, the Håya Foundation desired to facilitate the creation of a social and cultural environment that would allow for the revitalization of traditional Chamorro culture. The cultural preservation and revitalization efforts, in the beginning, laid the necessary foundation for social re-acceptance of traditional healing practices.

To fully appreciate the theme of the Fifth Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture—Celebrating Cultural Diversity—it is imperative that we question the meaning of cultural diversity.

Filipinos believe in a two-dimensional world: one of the living and another in a parallel spiritual plane. When the living unintentionally disturbs the spiritual world, unexplained ailments, maladies, and misfortunes befall them. When medical science in the world of the living cannot cure unexplainable conditions, Filipinos resort to traditional methods, reaching out to the spiritual world in various ways.

Co-orgarnized by ICHCAP and Hue Monuments Conservation Centre (HMCC), this year’s Asia-Pacific ICH NGO Conference was held in Hue, Vietnam under the theme of ICH NGOs towards Sustainable Development of Communities.

The ASB Polyfest is an iconic Auckland festival filled with color and culture. It celebrated its 43rd anniversary in 2018, with more than 12,000 secondary school students from across the Auckland region performing on six stages and a record 241 performing groups from 68 schools.

On 28 October 2020, ICHCAP and the UNESCO Apia Office co-organized the 8th Pacific Network Meeting virtually. This meeting report includes presentation materials from the meeting as well as summaries of the meeting with the intent of providing information to promote international cooperation among experts and institutions in the ICH safeguarding field in the Pacific region.

Dr Diego Gradis expressed his regret at Dr Karma Phuntsho’s inability to attend the conference. Mr Guri asked Ms Joanne Orr to expand on the conditions and the environment for NGO network building. He asked Mr Gauthier whether NGOs in Quebec had other focuses besides research. Regarding African countries, he explained that since societies survived for generations before development, it is possible to build on indigenous knowledge—not for the sake of culture, but for the sake of development.