Stakeholders
mountainous
ICH Stakeholders 4
Organization
(4)-
Institute for Sustainable Development Strategy
Institute for Sustainable Development Strategy (ISDS) has been established in 2012. ISDS programs reach out to youth, especially those who live in remote rural areas, and empower young people to become biocultural diversity leaders to create positive change in their communities based on continuous intergenerational exchange.\n\nSince 2012, over 200 initiatives have been supported, of which more than 50% are covered by the revival and preservation of historical and cultural heritage. ISDS’ priority topics are the following: \n(1) Cultural identity, values, and traditional wisdom; \n(2) Well-being and sustainability of local communities; \n(3) Lands, territories, and access to natural resources; \n(4) Agrobiodiversity and food sovereignty.\n\nIn 2020-2021, ISDS participated in the “Visionary Local Communities” study jointly “Taalim Forum” Public Fund supported by the Japanese Center for ICH. The study was based on ICH safeguarding in the remote mountainous regions (Chon-Alai district of Osh province – southern part of Kyrgyzstan where ISDS focused on safeguarding patterned handweaving and establishing a community ethnographic museum). ISDS is an active member of regional and global indigenous movements for the conservation of cultural and natural heritage.
Kyrgyzstan -
Kyrgyz Alliance of Midwives
The Kyrgyz Alliance of Midwives (KAM) is an independent professional association in the Kyrgyz Republic, which represents the interests and rights of midwives in the Kyrgyz Republic. KAM was created in 2011 and unites more than 2,500 midwives from all provinces of the Kyrgyz Republic. They are actively involved in strengthening the role of midwives in safeguarding traditional medicinal knowledge. In 2014, the Alliance became a Member of the International Confederation of Midwives.\n\nKAM regularly organizes activities to improve the skills and capacity of midwives, implements and monitors programs and projects such as Safe Motherhood, cooperates with the Kyrgyz State Medical Institute of Postgraduate Education to update the curriculum for midwives, etc. Moreover, the Alliance is engaged in safeguarding and promoting the traditional midwifery knowledge of Kyrgyz and supports communities and individual bearers including those from far mountainous areas. \n\nKyrgyz traditional midwifery knowledge and skills have been safeguarded and passed down through generations. From ancient times, the midwives played an important role in the communities as they possess knowledge and skills pertaining to childbirth, care for the mother and the newborn, as well as rituals and ceremonies dedicated to children. Moreover, midwives support women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the afterbirth period. They also share their knowledge about childcare and traditional remedies for mothers and their children and that is why they have been always respected by the Kyrgyz.\n\nIn 2021, the Alliance was actively taking part in preparing the multinational nomination file "Midwifery: knowledge, skills and practices", which was submitted from 8 countries (Colombia, Cyprus, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Nigeria, Slovakia, and Togo) for the possible inscription to the UNESCO Representative List of ICH of Humanity in 2023.\n\nThe Kyrgyz Alliance of Midwives collaborates with various stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, the National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic for UNESCO, the Ministry of Culture, etc. as well as various development partners such as WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, GIZ, AgaKhan Foundation to improve the quality of health services, strengthen the capacity of the Alliance and promote traditional medicinal knowledge.\n
Kyrgyzstan -
Public Association of Kuhhoi Pomir
\nThe Public Association of Kuhhoi Pomir (Pamir Mountains), a UNESCO-accredited NGO, is operating their projects on the territory of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) of the Republic of Tajikistan, which is also called Pamir or figuratively the roof of the world. The Association is actively involved in biodiversity of local ecosystems, conservation and restoration of nature, cultural and historical heritage of mountain communities, public physical and spiritual health, sustainable use of local resources, among others. It also encourages revitalization of cultural and spiritual heritage of population of mountainous locality and participates in the transmission of national traditional knowledge to the new generation.
Tajikistan -
Mahaguthi Craft with Conscience
Mahaguthi is a nonprofit handicraft producer, wholesaler, retailer and exporter that support Nepali traditional crafts communities and a community social service organisation. Mahaguthi markets the handicrafts of more than 1,000 Nepali artisans working in 150 workshops. Most of the artisans are from remote and mountainous areas; among them 85 percent are women who use traditional craft skills while working in their own home. Mahaguthi's focus is to promote the well-being of artisans, to provide employment and to embrace and promote the principles of fair trade. Artisans receive medical and education allowances, paid leave and maternity leave.
Nepal