What is CRESPIAL? 6g5c4x

The Strategic Plan 2024-2027 has focused on collecting the main issues of concern of the Member States regarding the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, promoting a regional approach or perspective, and identifying the critical points on which the CRESPIAL services and products must have an impact under the guidance of the COE and the CAD. It should be noted that CRESPIAL is a Center with a complex organization that simultaneously operates in a very complex context.

In this sense, the Strategic Plan is a document that takes into the changes and new panoramas at a regional and global level, especially the interrelations between the Member States, managers, carrier communities, related civil society organizations, UNESCO itself, which is essential to guide the work of the Technical Secretariat and the Member States.

Mission: To promote regional integration and cooperation to safeguard intangible cultural heritage, per the principles of sustainable development and intercultural dialogue. To this end, it must promote favorable conditions for developing public policies and initiatives for cultural management based on the participation of communities and actors involved in Latin American countries, contributing to their populations’ well-being, dignity, and creativity.

Vision: By 2027, CRESPIAL estimates a more significant strengthening of capacities and spaces for cooperation at the regional and international level between States, host communities, and various actors involved in the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. It maintains its status as a center of excellence in knowledge management for developing safeguarding policies and instruments per the operational guidelines and ethical principles of the 2003 Convention. CRESPIAL contributes to the protagonism, management capacity, and appreciation of the living heritage of communities. Greater visibility and recognition of its importance for achieving the SDGs will have been achieved.

The mission and vision are based on the following principles or fundamental values:

• Intangible cultural heritage is the fundamental source of meaning and identity to communities, peoples, and individuals in their daily activities and life projects. It serves as a basis for their sustainability and well-being.
• Respect and appreciate cultural diversity, human rights, the right to sustainable development, and recognition of the transversality of intangible cultural heritage for the sustainability of communities, their identities, and their development.
• Respect and safeguard the meaning and role of intangible cultural heritage in cultural demand.
• Prioritizing safeguarding intangible cultural heritage at risk in vulnerable communities or emergencies.
• Community participation is critical to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. As bearers, communities decide on the processes and actions that affect their intangible cultural heritage.
• Intangible cultural heritage promotes intercultural dialogue, encourages cooperation, exchange, and mutual understanding between various communities in Latin America, and contributes to the culture of peace.
• All social actors generate knowledge that deserves respect and consideration as equally valid.

The following are the areas of most significant interest and priority that have been identified for the formulation of the strategic objectives for the next four years:

• Programmatic activities
• Relationship building
• Cooperation
• Organization and operation

A set of strategic objectives has been developed for each of these areas. These objectives aim to achieve the significant results stated in the vision statement for 20take 27 and take actions guided by institutional values.

Programmatic activities

This field includes objectives directly affecting the Centre’s central purpose, safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.

SO 1. Develop capacities. Carry out training and capacity-building activities to safeguard intangible cultural heritage aimed at officials, technicians, and related actors.

SO 2. Promote exchange and cooperation between the States adhering to CRESPIAL

SO 3. Manage knowledge

Relationship

SO 4. Maintain fluid communication with stakeholders of interest to CRESPIAL

Cooperation

SO 5. Establish cooperative relationships with international agencies. Identify and establish cooperative relationships with international agencies

Organization and operation

SO 6. Strengthen results-based management

SO 7. Strengthen digital communication capabilities to raise awareness and enhance the value of living heritage

SO 8. Contribute to effective governance of the Centre.