- A catalyst for change.
- A two-year pilot program in three countries explores the ways in which cultural heritage can improve the lives of indigenous people through models that promote inclusion and sustainability in their communities.
This pilot program, currently running in Kenya, Vietnam and Colombia, stems from the “Cultural Heritage for Inclusive Growth” report (British Council 2017), and is implemented taking into account the particular context of each country. Our approach fosters the participation of communities and facilitates mutual learning between us and the communities we work with. The implementation plans differ in each of the three participating countries - Colombia, Kenya and Vietnam- where the approach is different, unique and applicable only to its location and context.
The “Cultural Heritage for Inclusive Growth” programme (CH4IG), known in Colombia as “Sowing Our Knowledge”, develops strategies to foster the cultural heritage of the indigenous people we work with, by collaboratively planning actions that promote their wellbeing and the preservation of their worldview, identity and land. We work jointly with indigenous peoples to define actions, based on inclusive growth models, that can advance their well-being and sustainability. To this aim, we work closely with our partners: Fundación Etnollano, Asociación Teje Teje and the Indigenous Council of Guambía.
What are our goals?
- Foster the cultural heritage of indigenous peoples, through strategies that promote the transmission of traditional knowledge from older to younger generations.
- Promote the conservation of the cultural heritage and way of life of indigenous peoples, so that they can compete on an equal footing in a globalized world without putting their worldview, customs or traditions at risk.
- Increase awareness of the country’s ethnic diversity through respectful support of indigenous peoples, their customs and their intrinsic relationship with the land.
- Support indigenous peoples in processes that lead to models that promote their wellbeing and sustainability. Processes focus on: reclaiming traditional crafts and culinary traditions, recognition of their living environment and the use they make of it, recognition of their territories, recovering knowledge related to traditional medicine, to the making of musical instruments and to ritual chants.
Our strategies
Our work is founded on 4 strategies for collaborative work:
- Strengthen all aspects of Cultural Heritage (natural, material and immaterial).
- Foster Creative Economy.
- Develop Sustainable Tourism plans.
- Partners and Allies Strategy.
