PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – At the the United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 38th UNESCO General Conference in Paris, France,the Sint Maarten delegation led by Hon. Minister Josianne Fleming-Artsen, met with Senior Programme Specialist for the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme, Iskra Panevska and the Chief of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage section, Cecile Duvelle.
The UNESCO Memory of the World Programme aims to facilitate preservation, universal access and increase awareness of the world’s documentary heritage.
UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage main objective is to safeguard the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage.
This may be found in areas such as oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, festive events, and traditional craftsmanship.
Underlining the importance of safeguarding Sint Maarten’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, Sint Maarten’s National Commission for UNESCO has recently finished drafting the first inventory list for the island.
During the meetings held in Paris, the delegation made use of the opportunity to gather information on the procedures and requirements for the submission of nominations to the UNESCO documentation heritage list and the UNESCO Intangible Cultural heritage list.
The Sint Maarten delegation attending the 38th UNESCO General Conference, included Marcellia Henry, Secretary General of the Sint Maarten National Commission for UNESCO, and Minister Plenipotentiary Cabinet Advisor Carol Voges.
PHOTO CUTLINE: L to R: Carol Voges, Minister Plenipotentiary Josianne Fleming-Artsen, Cecile Duvelle and Marcellia Henry.
