Intangible Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee

Based on the framework set out in the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) has been supporting the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) through various means, including the identification, documentation, research, preservation, promotion and transmission of such heritage. Established in 2008, the ICH Advisory Committee is comprised of local academics, experts and community personalities to advise the HKSAR Government on the territory-wide survey of ICH and measures to safeguard the ICH. Two sub-committees are set up under ICH Advisory Committee, namely the Sub-committee on ICH Funding Scheme and the Sub-committee on ICH Items.

Terms of Reference 

ICH Advisory Committee

1. To advise on the compilation and updating of the inventory and the representative list of ICH in Hong Kong;
2. To advise on the selection and nomination of Hong Kong's ICH items for application for inscription onto the national list or the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)'s list;
3. To advise on the measures for the safeguarding of ICH including research on and promotion, enhancement, transmission and revitalisation of ICH;
4. To advise on the issues related to the implementation of the ICH Funding Scheme for engaging the community in safeguarding of ICH; and
5. To advise on any other issues related to ICH as proposed by the HKSAR Government.

Sub-committee on ICH Funding Scheme

1. To advise on the issues related to the implementation of the ICH Funding Scheme;
2. To assess applications and the proposed budgets of the scheme;
3. To advise on the application guidelines and criteria for allocation of the funding of the scheme;
4. To monitor the implementation of the funded projects; and
5. To evaluate the effectiveness of the funded projects.

Sub-committee on ICH Items

1. To advise on the review and updating of the inventory and the representative list of ICH in Hong Kong;
2. To advise on the nomination of Hong Kong's ICH items for application for inscription onto the national list or the UNESCO's list; and
3. To advise on the issues related to the research and publication projects concerning the inventory and representative list of ICH in Hong Kong.