Introduction
The Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) will implement a 2nd phase of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) project supported by the UNESCO 2003 convention. The approved project – Consolidating the promotion of intangible cultural heritage education in institutions of higher learning in collaboration with bearer communities – will be implemented in the coming period of 24 months.
The project builds on the achievements of a previous intervention aimed at raising awareness of the relevance of living heritage in Uganda’s current development context among the management and academic staff of four universities. The key achievement of the previous intervention was the introduction of a Bachelor of cultural heritage studies in four universities. A key lesson learned was that linkages between universities/young people and ICH elements bearer communities need to be created to provide opportunities for universities to appreciate the role of communities in safeguarding ICH and foster collaborative and sustainable ICH safeguarding strategies.
Overview of the ‘Consolidating the promotion of intangible cultural heritage education in institutions of higher learning in collaboration with bearer communities project’ (2024-2026)
Implemented by CCFU, an accredited non-governmental organization under the 2003 Convention, this two-year project aims to promote intangible cultural heritage education in higher-learning institutions.
Project Objectives
This phase of the project will be implemented under 4 main objectives:
1) To enhance the capacity of 24 university academic staff from relevant departments and management to appreciate the value of ICH and its relevance in facilitating the delivery of the bachelor’s degree;
2) To facilitate research on ICH elements among university students by establishing digital archives in the 4 universities;
3) To enhance skills in ICH safeguarding among university students by facilitating their interactions with ICH elements and their attendant communities; and
4) To popularise the 2003 Convention on ICH safeguarding among relevant NGOs, universities, community-based organisations and Local Government Authorities to increase the appreciation of ICH elements and subscription to the ICH NGO forum.
Expected outcomes
The following outcomes are anticipated during and after this project.
1) Enhanced capacity of 24 university academic staff and management to appreciate the value of ICH and its importance in facilitating the delivery of the current embryonic course in cultural heritage studies.
2) Improved knowledge and case study research about ICH elements by university students and other ICH practitioners through the digital archives in each of the 4 project-implementing universities.
3) Enhanced skills and knowledge of the learners to confidently interact with ICH elements and support their safeguarding through research, documentation and publicity.
4) Improved appreciation of the 2003 ICH Convention and its benefits; as well as an increased subscription to the ICH NGO forum by Ugandan NGOs and community-based organisations.
Project management
A project management committee consisting of representatives from the 4 universities of (Islamic University of Uganda, Uganda Martyrs University, Kyambogo and Kabale University), CCFU, relevant cultural institutions, the Ministry of Gender, and the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO shall be constituted to play an oversight role during the project implementation.
The Foundation is currently visiting the Universities and all involved partners to set the ground for this project.
Background
Established in 2006, the Foundation through its cultural heritage safeguarding and promotion programme has: developed training manuals for local authorities, communities and NGOs on how to integrate heritage (including ICH) in their plans and practices; supported indigenous ethnic minority groups communities to document their oral traditions and languages; supported selected communities to develop their knowledge base and traditional craftmanship in different parts of the country through supporting cultural enterprises and community museums; implemented a Heritage Education Programme in secondary schools with over 180 heritage clubs (using a CCFU consultatively developed “Teachers’ Toolkit”); and led the establishment of the Bachelor of Cultural Heritage Studies programme in Uganda. CCFU is in the process of establishing a heritage trust, The Heritage Conservation Trust of Uganda.
CCFU is a member of the: UNESCO ICH-NGO Forum; International National Trusts Organisation (INTO); Climate Heritage Network; and the Uganda National NGO Forum.
