Hong Kong: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Education, is participating in the Professional Development Forum for National Coordinators on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Education, which will be held in Hong Kong from August 4 to 8, 2025.
The International Centre for UNESCO Associated Schools (ICUA) and the UNESCO Chair at the University of Hong Kong are co-hosting the event.
The forum is designed to help educators include intangible cultural legacy into curricula, develop unique teaching techniques, and encourage teachers and students to become active participants in cultural heritage protection and worldwide peace.
Yasriya Sulaiman Al Harthy, director of the UNESCO Associated Schools, Youth Programs, and Clubs Department at the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science and a member of the ICUA Governing Council, emphasized Oman's experience with the UNESCO Associated Schools Network. She highlighted cultural exchange as a tool for mutual understanding and peacebuilding.
She also mentioned successful national programs in Oman, such as the CrossContinental Intangible Cultural Heritage Project, which was created in conjunction with Croatia and Denmark. This program improves students' cross-cultural communication abilities, strengthens national identity and pride, and trains them to represent Oman at regional and international gatherings.
The International Centre for UNESCO Associated Schools (ICUA) in China functions as an educational hub for the worldwide network of UNESCO-associated schools. It encourages international collaboration and innovation through knowledge creation, capacity building, technical assistance, and information exchange.
The center supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 by enabling students, educators, and communities to create a peaceful and sustainable future through capacity building, youth participation, research, and worldwide cooperation.
