NSCICH-SL

ICOMOS National Scientific Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage of Sri Lanka

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Strategies, Objectives and Actions

TThe current plan presents the following five strategic objectives that represent the goals designed by the NSCICH-SL for the period 2023-2025 to realise the vision set out in the Triennial Action Plan.

1. Identification, research and documentation
2. Awareness and dissemination
3. Membership and Networking
4. Involvement of Stakeholders and Local Community
5. Safeguarding and Management

Several strategic actions have also been identified under each of the strategic objectives to achieve the respective goals:

I. Identification, research and documentation

• Conducting a literature survey on all existing studies (e.g. journal articles, conference presentations, books and dissertations) relating to Sri Lanka’s intangible cultural heritage. This will give an overview of the current research, its trends and gaps.
• Compilation of a bibliography of existing studies, for convenient access to existing research for the benefit of researchers.
• Encouraging undergraduate and postgraduate students and researchers to conduct research on the subject for their dissertations/theses.
• Identification of sites related to the ICH element, through archival research and fieldwork.

II. Awareness and dissemination

• Conducting awareness programmes for undergraduate students following heritage-related subjects, as most students are unaware of the current research and its gaps to enable them to select appropriate topics for their dissertations and providing specific inputs during the research work.
• Contributing to the Monthly Public Lecture Programme, workshops and other programmes of ICOMOS Sri Lanka by nominating members of NSCICH-SL and other experts to deliver lectures/as resource persons on the subject.
• Conducting workshops and awareness raising programmes for the students, stakeholders and general public about the subject.
• Maintaining a web page and social media pages for NSCICH-SL under ICOMOS Sri Lanka.
• Holding a national conference in 2024 on a theme related to the subject area.
• Holding an international conference in 2025 on a theme related to the subject area.
• Publishing journal articles, chapters, books and other research outputs on the subject.
• Encouraging the practitioners of intangible heritage to produce handicrafts and other related materials, e.g., CDs, DVDs to popularise different aspects of ICH.

III. Membership and Networking

• Expanding the membership of NSCICH-SL by encouraging individuals who have an interest in the subject area to join the programme of activities.
• Encouraging volunteers to engage in the activities of NSCICH-SL.
• Encouraging members of NSCICH-SL to obtain membership of the International Scientific Committee of ICOMOS.
• Participating actively in the activities, events and campaigns of NSCICH International to work at the world stage.
• Establishing contacts and relationships with NSCICH National Committees of other countries for professional and academic interaction.
• Establishing contacts and partnerships with other international organisations related to the subject area.
• Working in partnership with other National Scientific Committees of Sri Lanka, such as those of Historic Cities, Towns and Villages, Cultural Landscapes, Shared Built Heritage and Heritage Documentation to implement joint programmes for mutual benefits.
• Establishing partnerships with heritage authorities dealing with Intangible Cultural Heritage such as the Department of Archaeology, Central Cultural Fund, National Arts Council of Sri Lanka, National Archives, National Museums and other heritage authorities.

IV. Involvement of Stakeholders and Local Community

• Adopting a participatory approach for safeguarding and management of intangible cultural heritage through the involvement of the local community so that the ultimate benefits of heritage trickles down to the local community.

Activities