An International Scientific Committee of
ICOMOS

Call for Abstracts: ICICH-ICOMOS International Symposium

Written by Angela Labrador on . Posted in Call for Papers, News

International Symposium on “The Role of Local Communities in Safeguarding Intangible Heritage within Heritage Ensembles and Monuments”

8 – 11 November 2026
Villa Rufolo, Ravello, Italy

ICOMOS Italy and the International Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICICH) warmly invite the participation of all ICOMOS members, experts, stakeholders, communities, and institutions engaged in cultural heritage. Abstract submissions are due 15 August 2026 to icichagmitaly.2026@gmail.com. The full call along with detailed modes of participation are outlined below and may be downloaded in English, French, and Spanish. Additional translations forthcoming.

Introduction

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), UNESCO’s advisory body for the World Heritage Convention, brings together national and scientific committees dedicated to safeguarding cultural heritage for the benefit of humanity’s history, identity, and sustainable development.

Within this framework, the International Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICICH) was established to highlight the vital role of intangible heritage as a living force that sustains the meaning, vitality, and continuity of tangible heritage ensembles and monuments. Intangible heritage and cultural diversity are inherent, inseparable and an essential part of the cultural, social, and economic dimensions of communities, and its safeguarding is central to resilience, identity, and sustainability across generations.

The ICOMOS Charter on Intangible Cultural Heritage of Monuments (2024) provides a global reference point for integrating intangible heritage into heritage management. It underscores the importance of local communities as custodians of traditional knowledge, practices, and values that give life to monuments and heritage ensembles. In the face of climate change, migration, and global conflicts, these communities are indispensable for linking tangible and intangible heritage and for developing adaptive strategies rooted in lived experience.

In recognition of these priorities, the Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) of ICICH will be held in conjunction with the International Symposium: The Role of Local Communities in Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage within Heritage Ensembles and Monuments.  This combined program reflects ICICH’s dual commitment: strengthening its organisational governance while advancing scientific dialogue on the pressing challenges facing intangible heritage today.

The symposium will begin by situating intangible heritage within the global framework of ICOMOS and ICICH, then explore regional perspectives from around the world, and finally turn to Italy as the host country. Italy’s millennial heritage and long-standing expertise in integrating conservation with development provide a meaningful setting for this dialogue. By linking global challenges to local realities, the event will highlight how communities safeguard and revitalise intangible cultural heritage associated with monuments and ensembles, ensuring resilience and sustainable futures.

The AGM and Scientific symposium aim to raise awareness, share knowledge, and suggest practical strategies adaptable to various settings. Together, they will contribute to ICOMOS’s wider mission of protecting heritage as a foundation for identity, community well-being, and sustainability.

Symposium Program

The international symposium will be held over three days, organised as follows:

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL & OPENING / AGM

  • Arrival and Registration of Participants
  • Welcome Reception & Inaugural Ceremony (authorities and organizers)
  • Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) of ICICH

DAY 2 – FOUNDATIONS & IDENTITY

  • Morning Session (09:00 – 12:30) – Theme I: The ICOMOS Charter on Intangible Cultural Heritage of Monuments (2024)
    • Introduction to the Charter
    • Guide for Implementation
    • Challenges and Criticisms in Diverse Contexts
  • Afternoon Session (15:00 – 18:30) – Theme II: Intangible Heritage as a Driver of Identity, Creativity, Resilience and Development
    • Heritage Crafts of Origin/other knowledges as drivers of resilience, building skills and materials/ traditional medicine
    • Performing Arts & Festive Traditions and other expressions in public spaces and contexts due to migration
    • Communication and Dissemination Challenges

DAY 3 – DIALOGUE, PROFESSIONALS & GLOBAL CHALLENGES

  • Morning Session (09:00 – 12:30) – Theme III: Rescue and Enhancement of Intangible Cultural Heritage as a Pathway to Intercultural Dialogue, Face of Global Conflicts and Threats (heritage rescue, war conflicts, migrants, climate change)
    • Role of intangible Cultural heritage in heritage conservation
    • Communities and Custodians as Generational Bridges
    • Networks of Custodians and Community Organizations
    • Craft Fairs and Festive Events around Monuments
  • Afternoon Session (15:00 – 18:30) – Theme IV: The Role of Professionals, Community Leaders and Experts in Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage
    • Professionals as mediators between local communities and global institutions
    • Scientific knowledge (formal and informal) supporting traditional practices in the face of climate change
    • Building interdisciplinary approaches for resilience and sustainable futures

CLOSING CEREMONY (19.00 – 21.00)

  • Conclusions by Coordinators of Each Theme
  • Recommendations for ICOMOS and ICICH
  • Final words from the Authorities and ICICH Bureau

Modes of Participation in the Symposium

  1. General Attendance: All members of ICOMOS and other stakeholders in cultural heritage are welcome to attend and contribute to the symposium, as well as other professionals, experts, institutions, organisations, and communities related to cultural heritage. All people that sent papers and works accepted to the symposium will be registered in advance. Other professionals that want to attend the symposium can write to the organization to be registered.
  2. Abstracts for Paper Presentations: Authors are required to submit abstracts for papers, posters, or audiovisual contributions to the organizers by 15 August 2026. Please ensure that an abstract describing the proposed presentation is sent before this deadline. Abstracts may be submitted in English, Spanish, French or Italian. Notification regarding acceptance will be communicated no later than 1 September 2026.
  3. Abstracts for Paper Presentations must not exceed 300 words and should be prepared using Times New Roman font, size 12. The papers are expected to address themes specified in the symposium agenda. 
  4. All participants who wish to submit a paper but are unable to attend the symposium must submit a 300-word abstract for publication in the symposium’s digital book. The full paper should not exceed six pages, including images and references.
  5. All participants interested in displaying posters either inside the building or in the courtyards of the Villa Rufolo are required to submit a sample of the poster. The poster should approximately measure 100 x 150 cm or a similar size, and participants must also indicate whether the poster can be hung or displayed in the courtyard.
  6. All participants that cannot attend to the symposium can send an audiovisual with its presentation or examples of cultural heritage (monuments, festivals, crafts, ritual ceremonies, etc.) that will be shown on screen during the symposium. The extension of these audiovisuals should be no more than 10 to 15 minutes.
  7. All abstracts, posters and audiovisuals will be evaluated by a commission integrated by local organizers and ICICH / ICOMOS.

This symposium seeks to foster collaboration between international professionals, local communities, and institutions, ensuring that cultural and natural heritage are preserved, celebrated and transmitted to future generations.

All documents and communications must be directed to: icichagmitaly.2026@gmail.com

Download the full call here:

ICICH / ICOMOS Bureau

  • President Ángel Cabeza Monteira (Chile)
  • Vice President Ana Lucía González Ibáñez (México)
  • Vice President Oluwatoyin Zainab (Nigeria)
  • Secretary-General Mrinalini Atrey (India)
  • Treasurer Anna Yau (China)
  • Coordinator ICICH / ICOMOS Symposium in Italy: Carla Maurano

Tags: , , ,