UNESCO, CRIHAP strengthen indigenous youth leadership to safeguard Bangladeshi heritage

A total of 15 indigenous youth from communities in Bangladesh’s Sylhet division have completed a five-day UNESCO-supported programme aimed at strengthening youth leadership and community-based efforts to safeguard living heritage.

The programme is set to contribute to the preservation of cultural traditions and indigenous knowledge systems across communities, said a press release.

Organised by UNESCO in partnership with the International Training Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region (CRIHAP) and Anubad, the workshop was held from 17–21 May at the BRAC Learning Centre in Sreemangal.

Participants from the Bishnupriya, Meitei and tea garden communities strengthened practical skills in community-based inventorying of intangible cultural heritage, including oral traditions, cultural practices, traditional craftsmanship and indigenous knowledge systems.

Opening the workshop, Dr Susan Vize, head of office and UNESCO representative to Bangladesh, emphasised the importance of keeping communities at the centre of safeguarding efforts.

"Young people are not only future custodians of heritage, they are active cultural actors today. The role of communities must remain central throughout the safeguarding process," she noted.

Joining the opening session virtually, CRIHAP Director General Zhang Jing highlighted the broader role of youth in sustaining living heritage across generations.

"Young people are essential partners in safeguarding living heritage. Strengthening their capacities today helps ensure that heritage continues to live and evolve tomorrow," she said.

Facilitated by UNESCO-accredited Intangible Cultural Heritage expert Dr Alexandra Dennes and National ICH Trainer Rifat Munim, the workshop combined technical sessions with field-based learning in Sreemangal and Kamalganj upazilas.

Participants worked directly with elders, cultural practitioners and community members to identify and document living heritage elements and prepare draft inventory entries for their communities.

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The programme also introduced participants to the principles of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, ethical documentation practices and free, prior and informed consent.

Beyond technical learning, the workshop also created opportunities for participants to reconnect with their own cultural traditions while learning from and exchanging experiences with other communities.

Reflecting on her experience, Trisha Sinha from the Bishnupriya Manipuri community said, "The workshop gave me practical experience and helped me understand more deeply why documenting and preserving our living heritage matters."

The experience was equally meaningful for participants from tea communities. Jiyana Madrajee from Shamshernagar, Kamalganj, described the programme as a space for both learning and representation. "The workshop allowed us to share the stories and traditions of our communities while learning from others," she added.

Building on previous UNESCO–CRIHAP youth initiatives in Bangladesh, the programme aims to strengthen community-led safeguarding efforts and support a new generation of young heritage practitioners.