Making culture relevant in our changing world

Breakout Session 5: Cultural Resources

It's been a great three days here in Tokyo, Japan and I'm very happy to have met a lot of new friends from all over the region. I was part of the Cultural Resources breakout group and we talked about the challenges facing the cultural sector and the need to highlight its relevance to get the attention in deserves.

We took note that culture always has to defend itself to get noticed by the government or even private corporations. There is always the question of economic worth and the need to provide deliverables before it gets the attention it needs.

But cultural workers need not wait for government funding to get the ball rolling. I shared how local communities in the Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras are leading community-based efforts to preserve the rice terraces and the culture that surrounds it. Here is some information about a cultural tourism program there from my travel blog.

Delegates from the Philippines in their national costumes

But many do not realize that culture is the tangible and intangible manifestations of who we are as individuals, communities and nations. And if we take culture for granted, we are in effect disregarding our own identities.

How can we make culture relevant, especially to younger people, who will be the future bearers of traditions? Do you think government should support cultural program as a national policy? How can individuals like ourselves contribute to the safe-guarding and promotion of culture?