Reclaiming Intangible Cultural Heritage (Essay‪)‬

Less than eight years since the adoption of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Heritage 2003, Australians are wondering whether UNESCO will be successful in helping local cultural traditions around the world survive, develop or even flourish in the case of their individual histories and the face of globalisation. This is particularly because of a belief that inaction on the part of Federal legislators to embrace this Convention could limit the vital role that identification, protection and promotion of intangible cultural heritage will play in the rapid global socio-economic transformation in Australia. The opportunity for all sectors of this country's diverse culture to play a role in promoting social and economic development is paramount. This article attempts to analyse the heritage management situation with regard to Intangible Cultural Heritage in Australia, one of the wealthiest and most sought-after places to live in the world, and to compare it with that of Viet Nam, a country with a long history of disturbance, dislocation and disputation.