Living Heritage and Sustainable Development from edX

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How is intangible cultural heritage – or ‘living heritage’ – related to sustainable development? How is it relevant for addressing today’s development challenges in areas such as health, education, gender, natural disasters and conflict? Why is it important to keep this heritage alive? Communities around the world are transmitting their living heritage, which gives meaning to their lives, strengthens resilience, and contributes to their well-being. In this way intangible cultural heritage and sustainable development are closely linked. The international community made a commitment to safeguarding living heritage when it adopted the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2003 and it set itself ambitious goals by adopting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This course helps to understand the connections between the two.

By taking this course students and other interested learners and professionals will gain a better understanding of intangible cultural heritage and its relationships with sustainable development, exploring examples and experiences of communities from around the world.

By joining the course learners are invited to rethink development from a culture perspective!

This course is for:

Anyone new to the concept of intangible cultural heritage who wants to understand what intangible cultural heritage is, why it is important to people’s wellbeing and what role it plays in the lives of people, including young people;
Graduate students and advanced undergraduate students interested in the key concepts and practices of sustainability and global issues;
Key actors engaged in the field of sustainable development at a local, regional or international level , including those who work in corporate sustainability and responsibility and who want to understand the relationship between intangible cultural heritage and sustainable development;
Practitioners and professionals engaged in living heritage safeguarding , who want to refresh their knowledge on the key concepts of safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage and want to learn more about the relationship between living heritage and sustainable development.

What you'll learn

Knowledge about living heritage and the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage;
The role of communities in keeping their heritage alive;
The relationship between intangible cultural heritage safeguarding and relevant development areas such as gender equality, cultural diversity and creativity, education, health, income generation and natural disasters and peacebuilding;
The interdependence between the safeguarding of living heritage and sustainable development;
Communities’ experiences of safeguarding their living heritage for sustainable development in diverse cultural contexts.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Knowledge about living heritage and the 2003 convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage;
The role of communities in keeping their heritage alive;
The relationship between intangible cultural heritage safeguarding and relevant development areas such as gender equality, cultural diversity and creativity, education, health, income generation and natural disasters and peacebuilding;

The interdependence between the safeguarding of living heritage and sustainable development;
Communities’ experiences of safeguarding their living heritage for sustainable development in diverse cultural contexts.

Knowledge about living heritage and the 2003 convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage;
The role of communities in keeping their heritage alive;
The relationship between intangible cultural heritage safeguarding and relevant development areas such as gender equality, cultural diversity and creativity, education, health, income generation and natural disasters and peacebuilding;
The interdependence between the safeguarding of living heritage and sustainable development;
Communities’ experiences of safeguarding their living heritage for sustainable development in diverse cultural contexts.

Syllabus

Module 1: What is intangible cultural heritage?

Chapter 1: Intangible cultural heritage as living heritage

Chapter 2: Key concepts of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the key concepts and practices of sustainability and global issues, which is highly relevant for students in diverse disciplines

Covers diverse cultural contexts, which broadens learners' understanding of living heritage

Provides examples and experiences of communities from around the world, which makes the content relatable and engaging

Taught by instructors from various backgrounds, including academia, policymaking, and community engagement, which brings diverse perspectives to the course

Suitable for learners with diverse backgrounds and interests, including those new to the concept of intangible cultural heritage

Requires some background knowledge of sustainable development and global issues, which may present a barrier for some learners

Reviews summary

Living heritage's link to sustainable development

According to students, this course offers an excellent introduction to intangible cultural heritage and its crucial links with sustainable development, providing a solid foundational understanding of the 2003 UNESCO Convention. Learners consistently praise its well-structured content and engaging global examples that effectively bridge culture with various development challenges like gender, health, and peacebuilding. While some with extensive prior knowledge found parts to be a bit introductory or theoretical, many professionals found it highly valuable for broadening their perspective and rethinking cultural aspects in projects. The course is generally regarded as comprehensive and suitable for a wide range of learners, from beginners to those in development fields.

Opinions vary on depth; best for beginners or those seeking an overview.

"The course is a good overview, but if you're already deeply familiar with UNESCO conventions, it might feel a bit basic at times."

"I was looking for more practical, hands-on strategies for local safeguarding and found it too academic in parts."

"While the examples were good, I wished for more in-depth analysis on some of them, especially regarding practical implementation challenges."

Well-organized content with clear explanations and useful resources.

"The overall organization was logical and easy to follow, allowing for a smooth learning experience."

"I found the readings very helpful in complementing the video lectures and expanding my understanding."

"The quizzes were fair and effective in reinforcing what I learned throughout the modules."

Highly relevant for development professionals and practitioners.

"As a professional in development, this course helped me rethink cultural aspects in my projects. Highly recommend."

"For practitioners in living heritage safeguarding, this course offers a great refresh on key concepts and relationships to development."

"I found the content on intangible cultural heritage for sustainable livelihoods particularly relevant to my work."

Rich in diverse global examples and insightful case studies.

"The case studies were very insightful, illustrating the concepts with real-world applications."

"I appreciated the numerous global examples which truly helped to bridge culture with various development challenges like gender and health."

"The course broadened my perspective through its multidisciplinary approach and diverse community experiences."

Provides a comprehensive and clear introduction to living heritage.

"This course provides an excellent introduction to intangible cultural heritage and its crucial links with sustainable development."

"I gained a solid foundational understanding of the 2003 UNESCO Convention through well-structured content."

"The course is very comprehensive and explains complex concepts clearly, making it great for beginners."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Living Heritage and Sustainable Development with these activities:

Watch video tutorials on intangible cultural heritage.

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Watching video tutorials on intangible cultural heritage can help you learn more about the topic in a visual and engaging way.

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Search for video tutorials on intangible cultural heritage on platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo.
Watch the tutorials and take notes on the key points.
Reflect on what you have learned and how you can apply it to your own work or studies.

Read the book 'Intangible Heritage: Key Concepts and Case Studies' by Francesco Bandarin and Laurajane Smith.

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of the concept of intangible cultural heritage and includes case studies from around the world.

View Changing Heritage on Amazon

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Get a copy of the book from your local library or bookstore.
Read the book and take notes on the key concepts.
Reflect on what you have learned and how you can apply it to your own work or studies.

Practice identifying different types of intangible cultural heritage.

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Practicing identifying different types of intangible cultural heritage will help you develop a deeper understanding of the concept.

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Gather images, videos, or audio recordings of different types of intangible cultural heritage.
Organize the materials into different categories, such as music, dance, or storytelling.
Create a quiz or game to test your ability to identify the different types of intangible cultural heritage.

Four other activities

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Create a blog post or article about intangible cultural heritage.

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By creating a blog post or article, you can share your knowledge and understanding of intangible cultural heritage with others.

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Choose a topic related to intangible cultural heritage that you are interested in.
Research your topic and gather information from credible sources.
Write a blog post or article that is well-written, informative, and engaging.
Edit and proofread your work.
Publish your blog post or article on a platform of your choice.

Attend a conference or workshop on intangible cultural heritage.

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Attending a conference or workshop on intangible cultural heritage can help you connect with other people who are interested in the topic and learn from their experiences.

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Search for conferences or workshops on intangible cultural heritage in your area.
Register for the event and make travel arrangements.
Attend the event and participate in the sessions that interest you.
Network with other attendees and learn from their experiences.

Volunteer with an organization that works to preserve intangible cultural heritage.

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Volunteering with an organization that works to preserve intangible cultural heritage can help you gain practical experience and make a difference in your community.

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Search for volunteer opportunities with organizations that work to preserve intangible cultural heritage in your area.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend volunteer training and orientation.
Participate in volunteer activities, such as conducting research, organizing events, or working with communities.

Develop a project plan for a project that will promote intangible cultural heritage in your community.

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Developing a project plan will help you to think through the steps involved in promoting intangible cultural heritage in your community and to identify the resources that you will need.

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Identify the intangible cultural heritage that you want to promote.
Develop a plan for how you will promote the intangible cultural heritage.
Identify the resources that you will need to implement your plan.
Develop a timeline for your project.

Career center

Learners who complete Living Heritage and Sustainable Development will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Professor

Professors are responsible for teaching and conducting research at colleges and universities. They work with a variety of students, including undergraduates and graduate students. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a professor. You will learn about the different methods of teaching and research, and you will gain an understanding of the ethical issues involved in teaching and research. This course can also help you build a foundation in your chosen field of study, which is essential for a career in academia.

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Museum Educator

Museum educators are responsible for developing and delivering educational programs for museums and other cultural institutions. They work with a variety of audiences, including children, adults, and families. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a museum educator. You will learn about the different types of educational programs, and you will gain an understanding of the ethical issues involved in museum education. This course can also help you build a foundation in education and museum studies, which are essential for a career in museum education.

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Educator

Educators are responsible for teaching students at all levels, from preschool through university. They work with a variety of students, including children, adolescents, and adults. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an educator. You will learn about the different methods of teaching, and you will gain an understanding of the ethical issues involved in education. This course can also help you build a foundation in curriculum development and educational psychology, which are essential for a career in education.

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Grant Writer

Grant writers are responsible for writing grant proposals for nonprofit organizations. They work with a variety of organizations, including schools, hospitals, and social service agencies. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a grant writer. You will learn about the different types of grants, and you will gain an understanding of the ethical issues involved in grant writing. This course can also help you build a foundation in writing and research, which are essential for a career in grant writing.

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Historian

Historians study the past and how it has shaped the present. They work in a variety of settings, including universities, museums, and libraries. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a historian. You will learn about the different methods historians use to study the past, and you will gain an understanding of the ethical issues involved in historical research. This course can also help you build a foundation in history and research, which are essential for a career in history.

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Social Worker

Social workers help people cope with a variety of challenges, including poverty, addiction, and mental illness. They work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and community centers. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a social worker. You will learn about the different types of social work, and you will gain an understanding of the ethical issues involved in social work. This course can also help you build a foundation in social work and psychology, which are essential for a career in social work.

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Archivist

Archivists are responsible for preserving and managing historical documents and artifacts. They work in a variety of settings, including libraries, museums, and government agencies. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an archivist. You will learn about the different types of archival materials, and you will gain an understanding of the ethical issues involved in archival work. This course can also help you build a foundation in history and library science, which are essential for a career in archival studies.

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Development Officer

Development officers are responsible for raising funds for nonprofit organizations. They work with a variety of donors, including individuals, foundations, and corporations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a development officer. You will learn about the different types of fundraising, and you will gain an understanding of the ethical issues involved in fundraising. This course can also help you build a foundation in public relations and marketing, which are essential for a career in development.

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Policy Analyst

Policy analysts are responsible for analyzing public policies and making recommendations for change. They work for a variety of government agencies and non-profit organizations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a policy analyst. You will learn about the different methods of policy analysis, and you will gain an understanding of the ethical issues involved in policy analysis. This course can also help you build a foundation in public policy and economics, which are essential for a career in policy analysis.

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Program Manager

Program managers are responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating programs. They work for a variety of organizations, including non-profit organizations, government agencies, and businesses. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a program manager. You will learn about the different types of programs, and you will gain an understanding of the ethical issues involved in program management. This course can also help you build a foundation in project management and evaluation, which are essential for a career in program management.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study human societies and cultures. They explore the ways in which people interact with each other and their environment. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an anthropologist. You will learn about the different methods anthropologists use to study culture, and you will gain an understanding of the ethical issues involved in anthropological research. This course can also help you build a foundation in the social sciences, which is essential for a career in anthropology.

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Librarian

Librarians are responsible for managing libraries and providing access to information. They work in a variety of settings, including public libraries, school libraries, and academic libraries. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a librarian. You will learn about the different types of libraries, and you will gain an understanding of the ethical issues involved in librarianship. This course can also help you build a foundation in library science and information management, which are essential for a career in librarianship.

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Journalist

Journalists are responsible for gathering and reporting news and information. They work for a variety of media outlets, including newspapers, magazines, and television. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a journalist. You will learn about the different types of journalism, and you will gain an understanding of the ethical issues involved in journalism. This course can also help you build a foundation in writing and research, which are essential for a career in journalism.

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Curator

Curators are responsible for planning and managing exhibitions in museums and galleries. They work with a variety of objects, including art, artifacts, and historical documents. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a curator. You will learn about the different types of exhibitions, and you will gain an understanding of the ethical issues involved in curatorial work. This course can also help you build a foundation in art history and museum studies, which are essential for a career in curating.

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Event Planner

Event planners are responsible for planning and managing events, such as weddings, conferences, and parties. They work with a variety of clients, including individuals, businesses, and organizations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an event planner. You will learn about the different types of events, and you will gain an understanding of the ethical issues involved in event planning. This course can also help you build a foundation in hospitality management and public relations, which are essential for a career in event planning.

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