# Inter-City Intangible Cultural Cooperation Network

The Inter-City Intangible Cultural Cooperation Network (ICCN) is the only international organization of local governments and cultural organizations that aim to safeguard the world’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. The ICCN has been working to explore creative and effective policies for the safeguarding of local Intangible Cultural Heritage and its inseparable relation to sustainable local development. Furthermore, we aim to make cultural peace based on mutual understanding formed through intercultural dialogue.

## History, Missions, and Vision
### History

The Inter-City Intangible Cultural Cooperation Network (ICCN) was established as a platform for the world-wide collaboration of local authorities for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage as a vital component of sustainable development. The initiative for the creation of the ICCN was started at the first International Round Table of Mayors, in Gangneung City, Republic of Korea in 2004. As the following action, the participants of the 2008 Round Table of Mayors unanimously agreed to the official founding of the ICCN in Egypt.
2019 9th ICCN Thematic Workshop in Beit Sahour, Palestine
2018 7th ICCN General Assembly in Algemesí, Spain
2017 8th ICCN Thematic Workshop in Beijing, China
2016 6th ICCN General Assembly in Sicily, Italy
2015 7th ICCN Workshop in Cachtice-Kopanice, Slovakia
2014 5th ICCN General Assembly/ International Women’s Forum in Isfahan, Iran Theme: “Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Process of Urbanization” 2nd ICCN WORLD INTANGIBLE CULTURAL FESTIVAL (Isfahan, Iran)
2013 6th Thematic Workshop/3rd ICCN International Youth Forum in Dubrovnik, Croatia
2012 4th ICCN General Assembly/ 3rd ICCN International Youth Forum in Gangneung, Korea
Accredited as an Advisory NGO to the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO (June 7)
2011 5th Thematic Workshop/2nd ICCN International Youth Forum in Gannat, France
2010 3rd International Round Table of Mayors/ 1st ICCN Youth Forum in VLCNOV, Czech Republic
2009 4th Thematic Workshop in Kingston, Jamaica Theme: “Local government at the forefront of preserving tour Intangible Cultural Heritage” 2008 2nd International Round Table of Mayors in Cairo, Egypt (Official Founding of ICCN)
2007 3rd Thematic Workshop in Pecs, Hungary Theme: “Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage by Building the Network”
2006 2nd Thematic Workshop in GANGNEUNG, Republic of Korea Theme: “Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Participation of Young People”
2005 1st Thematic Workshop in GANGNEUNG, Republic of Korea
2004 1st International Round Table of Mayors in GANGNEUNG, Korea

### Missions

* To cooperate with local authorities/cities for equal and friendly sharing of living heritage
* To realize the well being of communities with local culture

### Vision

* Worldwide Living Heritage celebrated and communities empowered

## ICCN Activities

* Partnership with local authorities: Joint participation of mayor and community to ICCN activities
* International Conference on local cases in the field of the safeguarding ICH
    General Assembly (Roundtable of Mayors), Thematic Workshop
* ICCN World Intangible Culture Festival
(1st in Gangneung, Korea, 2012/ 2nd in Isfahan, Iran, 2014)
* ICCN Youth Forum/ International Women’s forum
* Promoting dialogue and live interaction among members

## ICCN Members

1.Full Members: Full Members are accredited local authorities as represented by mayors or governors. The Full Member has the right to be represented at the ICCN meetings and events, initiate and promote the cooperative projects within ICCN.
Current Full members: 32 Local governments in 28 States Kingston (Jamaica), Ifugao (Philippines), Gangneung (Republic of Korea), Vlcnov (Czech Republic), Gannat (France), Kalivia (Greece), Pecs (Hungary), Monreale (Italy), Levanto (Italy), Qalyubiya (Egypt), Nishabour (Iran), Shiraz (Iran), Rosh Ha’Ayin (Israel), Nevsehir (Turkey), Isfahan (Iran), The Association of Municipalities Cachtice-Kopanice (Cachtice, Vadovce, Kostolna, Hrasne, Jablonka, Priepasne, Kosariska and Podkylava/ Slovakia), Banepa (Nepal), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Beit Sahour (Palestine), Irkutsk (Russia), Bagerhat (Bangladesh), Samarkand (Uzbekistan), Galle (Sri Lanka), Algemesí (Spain), Mangshi (China), Jeongseon (Republic of Korea), Levuka (Fiji), Valletta (Malta), Valparaiso (Chile), Xochimilco (Mexico)
2.Associate Members: Associate Members are accredited NGOs, organizations of custodians, performers and other actors of intangible cultural heritage, specialized organizations for safeguarding of the cultural heritage. Associate Members may participate in the ICCN meetings and events, and support the ICCN with their specific experiences in the related field.
Current Associate members: 25 institutes in 21 States Algerian Forum for the Citizenship and the Modernity (FACM, Algeria), Khmer Arts (Cambodia), Culture and Heritage Institute at Centennial College (Canada), Yiswind Institute of Multicultural Education (China), Association Nationale Cultures et Traditions (ANCT, France), Pusol Museums of School (Spain), COPPEM (Italy), Czech Ethnographical Society (Czech Republic), Artesol (Brazil), Craft Revival Trust (India), The Companion of Aria (Iran), Valencian Museum of Festivities Algemesí (Spain), Hong Kong Culture Heritage Studies and Promotion Association (China), Vietnamese Women’s Museum (Vietnam), Tropen Museum (The Netherlands), Israeli Organization of Local Authorities Culture Managers (Israel), ELEVI (Israel), Macedonian Research Society(Macedonia), Gangneung Danoje Festival Committee (Republic of Korea), Jeongseon Arirang Culture Foundation (Republic of Korea), Center for Cultural Heritage Preservation (Palestine), Dialogue Association for Culture and Creativity(Mauritania), Qatar Museums Authority(Qatar), ICH-Kuwait Committee (Kuwait), Lindjo Folklore Ensemble (Croatia)
3. Executive Board: The Executive Board is made up of 10 members (including maximum 3 associate members) and shall be elected by a majority of the ICCN Members present and voting at the General Assembly. It will perform to prepare agendas and annual actions of the ICCN and to implement other activities to administer the ICCN.
Current Board members: Gangneung (Republic of Korea), Vlcnov (Czech Republic), Monreale (Italy), Isfahan (Iran), Shiraz (Iran), Xochimilco (Mexico), Algemesi (Spain), FACM (Algeria), ANCT (France)