The Role of Living Heritage in Disaster Risk Reduction

As natural disasters become more frequent, safeguarding living heritage—our intangible cultural traditions—has become vital. In July 2023, the Institute for Social & Cultural Research (ISCR) hosted the “Living Heritage & Disaster Risk Reduction Workshop” exploring the link between cultural heritage and disaster preparedness. The event  trained 40 cultural community participants from across Belize, on documenting the connection between living heritage and disaster risk reduction.

This initiative is part of a regional initiative entitled “Capacity building for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in emergencies in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific and the Caribbean” supported by UNESCO and the Japanese Fund-In-Trust. 

Living Heritage: A Resilient Tradition

Living heritage, or intangible cultural heritage (ICH), includes practices like oral traditions and rituals passed down through generations. It fosters cultural identity and strengthens resilience, particularly in times of crisis. However, threats like globalization and environmental degradation endanger this knowledge, making its preservation crucial for community survival during disasters. 

Community Collaboration is Key

Safeguarding living heritage requires active community involvement. Workshop participants emphasized the need for education, documentation, and collaboration between governments, NGOs, and local communities.

Balancing Innovation with Tradition

While it’s important to safeguard heritage, adaptation is equally vital. Discussions centered on using technology to keep traditions relevant, ensuring they evolve while preserving core values. In short, living heritage is a vital resource, helping communities face modern challenges. Through collaboration, education, and adaptation, we can ensure these cultural assets remain resilient in an ever-changing world.

More information: https://ich.unesco.org/en/news/launch-of-a-three-year-project-for-safeguarding-living-heritage-during-emergencies-in-small-island-developing-states-sids-in-the-pacific-and-the-caribbean-13395