CHAPTER V REPORTING TO THE COMMITTEE

V.1 Reports by States Parties on the implementation of the Convention

       151. Each State Party to the Convention periodically submits to the Committee reports on the legislative, regulatory and other measures taken for the implementation of the Convention. States Parties are encouraged to complement the data gathered on the implementation of the Convention with information provided by relevant non-governmental organizations.

       152. The State Party submits its periodic report to the Committee by 15 December of the sixth year following the year in which it deposited its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval, and every sixth year thereafter. Form ICH-10 is used for such reports, available at www.unesco.org/culture/ich or on request from the Secretariat. The reports shall include only the information requested in the form.

       153. The State Party reports on the legislative, regulatory and other measures taken for implementation of the Convention at the national level, including:

       (a) drawing up of inventories of the intangible cultural heritage present in its territory, as described in Articles 11 and 12 of the Convention;

       (b) other safeguarding measures as referred to in Articles 11 and 13 of the Convention, including:

       i. adopting a general policy aimed at promoting the function of intangible cultural heritage in society and integrating its safeguarding into planning programmes;

       ii. fostering scientific, technical and artistic studies with a view to effective safeguarding;

       iii. facilitating, to the extent possible, access to information relating to intangible cultural heritage while respecting customary practices governing access to specific aspects of it.

       154. The State Party reports on the legislative, regulatory and other measures taken at the national level to strengthen institutional capacities for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, as described in Article 13 of the Convention, including:

       (a) designating or establishing one or more competent bodies for safeguarding its intangible cultural heritage;

       (b) strengthening institutions for training in intangible cultural heritage management and transmission of this heritage;

       (c) establishing documentation institutions for intangible cultural heritage and, to the extent possible, facilitating access to them.

       155. The State Party reports on the legislative, regulatory and other measures taken at the national level to ensure greater recognition of, respect for and enhancement of intangible cultural heritage, in particular those referred to in Article 14 of the Convention:

       (a) educational, awareness-raising and information programmes;

       (b) educational and training programmes within the communities and groups concerned;

       (c) capacity-building activities for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage;

       (d) non-formal means of transmitting knowledge;

       (e) education for the protection of natural spaces and places of memory.

       156. The State Party reports on the measures taken by it at the bilateral, subregional, regional and international levels for the implementation of the Convention, including measures of international cooperation such as the exchange of information and experience, and other joint initiatives, as referred to in Article 19 of the Convention.

       157. The State Party reports on the current status of all elements of intangible cultural heritage present in its territory that have been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The State Party shall pay special attention to the role of gender and shall endeavour to ensure the widest possible participation of the communities, groups, and, where applicable, individuals concerned as well as relevant non-governmental organizations during the process of preparation of such reports, which shall address, for each element concerned:

       (a) the element’s social and cultural functions;

       (b) an assessment of its viability and the current risks it faces, if any;

       (c) its contribution to the goals of the List;

       (d) the efforts to promote or reinforce the element, particularly the implementation of any measures that might have been necessary as a consequence of its inscription;

       (e) the participation of communities, groups and individuals as well as relevant non-governmental organizations in safeguarding the element and their continued commitment to its further safeguarding.

       158. The State Party reports on the institutional context for the element inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, including:

       (a) the competent body(ies) involved in its management and/or safeguarding;

       (b) the organization(s) of the community or group concerned with the element and its safeguarding.

       159. States Parties shall respond, in a timely manner, to specific requests addressed to them by the Committee for additional information, if needed between the deadlines set out in paragraph 152 above.

V.2 Reports by States Parties on elements inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding

       160. Each State Party shall submit to the Committee reports on the status of elements of intangible cultural heritage present in its territory that have been inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding at its request or, in cases of extreme urgency, after consultation with it. The State Party shall endeavour to involve as broadly as possible the communities, groups and, where applicable, individuals concerned as well as relevant non-governmental organizations during the process of preparation of such reports.

       161. Such reports shall normally be submitted to the Committee by 15 December of the fourth year following the year in which the element was inscribed, and every fourth year thereafter. Form ICH-11 is used for such reports, available at www.unesco.org/culture/ich or on request from the Secretariat. The reports shall include only the information requested in the form. At the time of inscription the Committee may on a case-by-case basis establish a specific timetable for reporting that will take precedence over the normal four-year cycle.

       162. The State Party shall pay special attention to the role of gender and shall reports on the current status of the element, including:

       (a) its social and cultural functions;

       (b) an assessment of its viability and the current risks it faces;

       (c) the impacts of the efforts to safeguard the element, particularly the implementation of the safeguarding plan that was submitted at the time of nomination;

       (d) the participation of communities, groups and individuals as well as relevant non-governmental organizations in safeguarding the element and their continued commitment to its further safeguarding.

       163. The State Party shall report on the institutional context for safeguarding the element inscribed on the List, including:

       (a) the competent body(ies) involved in its safeguarding;

       (b) the organization(s) of the community or group concerned with the element and its safeguarding.

       164. States Parties shall respond, in a timely manner, to specific requests addressed to them by the Committee for additional information, if needed between the deadlines set out in paragraph 161 above.

V.3 Receipt and processing of reports

       165. Upon receipt of reports from States Parties, the Secretariat shall register them and acknowledge receipt. If a report is incomplete, the State Party will be advised how to complete it.

       166. The Secretariat transmits to the Committee an overview of all reports received four weeks prior to its session. The overview and the reports are also made available on-line for consultation.

       167. Following the session at which they are examined by the Committee, reports are made available to the public for information, unless decided otherwise by the Committee in exceptional cases.

V.4 Reports by States non party to the Convention on elements inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

       168. Paragraphs 157–159 and 165–167 of these directives shall apply fully to States non party to the Convention that have in their territories items proclaimed Masterpieces incorporated in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and that have consented to accept the rights and obligations attendant thereon.

       169. Such reports shall be submitted to the Committee by States non party by 15 December 2014, and every sixth year thereafter. Form ICH-10 is used for such reports, available at www.unesco.org/culture/ich or on request from the Secretariat. The reports shall include only the information requested in the form.