Workshop on Museums and Intangible Heritage
Asia Pacific Approaches
7th Regional Assembly of the Asia Pacific Organisation International Council ofMuseums (ICOM)Shanghaï, China, 20-25 October 2002

Shanghai Charter
We, the coalition of participants, at the 7th Asia Pacific Regional Assembly of
the International Council of Museums convened between 20-24 October 2002 in
Shanghai, affirming the significance of creativity, adaptability and thedistinctiveness of peoples, places and communities as the framework in which
the voices, values, traditions, languages, oral history, folk life and so on arerecognised and promoted in all museological and heritage practices,
recommend that museums as facilitators of constructive partnerships in thesafeguarding of this heritage of humanity:••••••••••••••

Affirm the rich cultural diversity of the Asia Pacific, including the concerns of race,ethnicity, colour, gender, age, class, faith, language, sexual orientation andregional identities
Establish interdisciplinary and cross sectorial approaches that bring together
movable and immovable, tangible and intangible, natural and cultural heritage
Address the challenges and threats posed by globalisation and develop
approaches to maximise on the opportunities provided by cultural, technologicaland economic globalisation
Develop documentation tools and standards in establishing holistic museum andheritage practices
Initiate pilot projects that demonstrate methodologies for making inventories ofintangible heritage resources through community participation
Ensure efforts towards the conservation, presentation and interpretation ofintangible heritage in an authentic manner that is consistent with the localcharacter
Develop public programs and visitor management strategies that comply with thelaws, conventions and regulations dealing with the conservation of heritage
resources of significance, and respect for the rules and protocols of thecommunity groups as custodians of intangible heritage
Encourage cross cultural understanding and meaningful exchanges for thepromotion of peace and harmonious societies
Make use of all media formats such as print, audio visuals, film and video, digitaland telecommunication technologies
Assess and address training needs and capacity building for integration of tangible
and intangible heritage management
Offer inclusive interpretation in appropriate languages where possible employing
local custodians of intangible heritage resources
Promote the active participation of public and private sectors to maximise the useof local expertise, resources and opportunities and diversify the resource base forthe effective safeguarding of all heritage resources
Establish criteria and methodologies for the integration of tangible and intangible
heritage in museums and other heritage institutions
Support UNESCO's efforts for the safeguarding and promotion of intangible
heritage through its various programs and stress the importance of the inputs ofprofessional bodies in the preparation of an international convention forsafeguarding intangible cultural heritage.
Professor Zhang Wenbin
President
ICOM China

Dr. Jacques Perot
President
ICOM

Professor Amareswar Galla
President
ICOM Asia Pacific