The ‘ichLinks’ project on developing a digital platform that shares information on intangible cultural heritages (ICHs) in Asia-Pacific has officially been launched on the website https://www.ichlinks.com

The platform of ichLinks project (Photo: VICAS)

The project was jointly implemented by the Viet Nam National Institute of Culture and Art Studies and the International Information and Networking Centre for ICH in the Asia-Pacific region under the auspices of UNESCO (ICHCAP).

The recent launching ceremony took place in virtual form with the participation of representatives from UNESCO, ICHCAP, five partners in Asia-Pacific and 70 organisations and experts from 40 countries worldwide.

‘ichLinks’ is a long-term project with a main focus on developing a platform to share information on intangible cultural heritages in Asia-Pacific to member countries such as Viet Nam, Mongolia, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, India and Fiji in the coming time.

According to its official website, ichLinks is a one-stop online platform where you can easily meet a wide range of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) information and content shared by and with Asia-Pacific Member States. We coined the term as a portmanteau of “ICH” and “Links”, referring to the mutual connections made among ICH and its stakeholders through the platform.

Here you are only one click away from a wide range of Asia-Pacific ICH information and content with the help of advanced digital technologies. The platform also serves as a common ground in which various ICH stakeholders, e.g. policy-makers, researchers, institutes, NGOs, communities, and practitioners can interact with one another.

Decentralization of roles and responsibilities, openness and sharing in data management, and enhancing sustainability of ICH through an effective safeguarding ecosystem are three core values that ichLinks pursues in its operation.

ichLinks provide multiple layers of ICH information and content tailored to the needs of various groups. Among them, key resources about ICH elements, resources, stakeholders, and news & events form the primary layer, and provide the most essential data to users with regular updates.

The platform works best with ICH information agencies duly recommended by ministries of culture or other competent organizations in forty-eight Asia-Pacific Member States.

Reporting by X.D – Translating by A.T