Pedagogy for Intangible Cultural Heritage in Pandemic Times: Reflections from an International Workshop during Covid-19

Abstract

Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) as an articulated concept and terminology gained prominence with the adoption of UNESCO’s 2003 convention on safeguarding ICH. The convention also emphasizes capacity building as a key strategy for the safeguarding of ICH (UNESCO, n.d.-b). UNESCO, through the Global Capacity Building programme (UNESCO, n.d.-c), has already put together a network of facilitators and a series of initiatives to promote and implement these activities. Yet, there is a need for more capacity-building programmes to cater to diverse needs and audiences. During the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, one of the many programmes offered online was that by the Centre for Heritage Management, Ahmedabad University, on ‘ICH and Sustainable Development’ with financial assistance from the International Centre for Information and Networking for Safeguarding ICH (ICHCAP) and supported by UNESCO Bangkok. Originally intended to be in person, it had to be offered online due to the uncertainties of the pandemic. However, the change of mode allowed a larger access to more participants and an extended timeline for the workshop. It also became a constructive challenge to adapt a pedagogy from a field-based into an online environment. This article reflects on such experiences and outcomes of the workshop and concludes with some thoughts on the post-COVID-19 pedagogical strategies for teaching and learning on ICH.