Nowadays,
globalization has become a hot topic, not only in China, but also in other
countries. Under the context of globalization, traditional culture of every
corner in the world, including different regions in China, has been influenced,
and even threatened to some degree. In view of such a phenomenon, UNESCO,
together with local governments, is dedicated to safeguarding and preserveing
the worldÕs cultural diversity as well as cultural heritages.
Ms. Beatrice
Kaldun, arrived in Beijing as the new UNESCO programme specialist for culture
in mid-October 2004
Y: Good Afternoon,
Ms. Kaldun, how long have you been in Beijing and what are the main tasks
of Cultural Section in UNESCO Office Beijing?
K: I arrived
here in October 2004. UNESCO-Culture section is concerned with the protection
of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, as well as what UNESCO refers
to as the tangible and intangible cultural heritage and in fact the very wide
spectrum of culture. UNESCO Office Beijing is not only concerned with China,
but with the Northeast Asian region including DPR Korea, Japan, Mongolia,
and RO Korea.
Y: And, you
know, there are 56 ethnic groups in China and each boasts respective origin,
geographic environment and diversified culture. So, it is said, that Chinese
culture was jointly created by people from 56 ethnic groups. In view of cultural
diversity, China holds a core tradition, that is, to protect and to preserve
our own culture, yet to respect and learn from cultures in other parts of
the world. Then, I hope to see, what do you think of this tradition?
K: Every
country has its respective culture, history, customs and traditions which
are valuable and should be preserved. It is quite a natural and welcome phenomenon
to have not a static culture but have natural exchanges and influences with
other countries and cultures which usually enrich one’s own culture. In the
context, of globalization, many countries are concerned with their identity
and the preservation of their own rich culture and cultural heritage and there
are many programmes that support such efforts. And it is the balance that
we try to achieve that allows globalization and the own countries’ development
while preserving the own culture, cultural heritage, traditions etc, to live
comfortably together and enrich each other rather than compromise the one
for the other.
Y: UNESCO
has done a lot to protect and preserve World Heritage sites--natural, cultural
and mixed. What do you expect China to do on the protection and would you
like to offer some advice?
K: Addressing
the issue of World Heritage and World Heritage sites, I always like to remind
us that a more holistic concept should be in our minds, that addresses tangible
as well as intangible, movable as well as immovable.
China is
well aware of this fact and the need to preserve all aspects of cultural heritage
within the context of World Heritage and beyond. And if we do not try to preserve
such heritages, they will be threatened to disappear.
Focusing
now on World Heritage and World Heritage sites, every country, not only China,
requires funds to protect national and world heritages. Most importantly,
the policies of national and local governments are essential to the long-term
protection and preservation of sites. Without the protection mechanisms in
place, it is easy to neglect the safeguarding or even to misuse preservation
for economic development, resulting in the degradation or destruction of World
Heritage sites. In this context,
it is also important that the local community in or closest to a World Heritage
site is involved in its protection, maintenance as well as economic development
and in short have ownership which is one of the best guarantees for the long-term
safeguarding of a site and the economic benefit for the local community. So
to reiterate, a balance needs to be achieved between economic development
and protection of a World natural and cultural heritage site. And it is quite
clear that the long-term protection requires support from all sides, national
government, local government, and local residents. This is a huge challenge
and should remind us that becoming a World Heritage site is not only a great
honour for the country by being part of the select sites of “outstanding universal
value” with a place in the world community, but requires a countries’ long-term
commitment to the protection and safeguarding of a World Heritage site for
posterity. There is no end in the work on protection and preservation of national
as well as world heritages, we need joint efforts to do it well.
Y: It seems
very essential to make a balance between economic development and protection
work. As is known, China is home to the largest number of World Heritage Sites
in Asia on the Tentative List. In recent years, many places in China, run
for the nomination onto the World Heritage List. What is your opinion on such
a phenomenon?
K: I’m afraid
I hold a critical attitude on such a phenomenon. If a place is expected to
be nominated, it needs to be of “outstanding universal value” and fulfill
certain criteria under the World Heritage Convention, and in fact the central
government in cooperation with UNESCO prepares a kind of Tentative List of
such sites with true potential to become a World Heritage site. When local
governments compete for nomination, they need to take careful considerations
on this point.
Many places,
though not national heritage or world heritage, are precious to local and
many other people. What we should do is to cherish them no matter how high
they rank and safeguard them, instead of just competing to be nominated or
declared as a national heritage, or World Heritage. Sometimes the local government
wishes to attract tourists both from home and abroad to bring in financial
benefits and that is the main driving force to become a World Heritage site
- attract people, have the honour, but not necessarily have a real concern
for the protection and safeguarding. However, to be a World Heritage site
means much more, and it shouldnÕt be a place for people just to make
money. Let me emphasize, of course and luckily this is not always the case
and has different variations, but it is an issue. I hope people will realize that all heritage sites and places
are important and deserve to be cherished and take the necessary actions to
protect, conserve and develop them.
Y: Thank
you for sharing your ideas with us. Our magazine, China’s Ethnic Groups, tries
to explore and explain the diverse cultures among 56 ethnic groups in China.
Now, I guess you have read some issues of CEG. Would you like to give us some
advice for our future work?
K: Your magazines
give me a very good impression for its wide range of topics, eye-catching
pictures and exquisite design. You have done a good job. But I have noticed,
most content deals with the positive side, beautiful scenery, delicate headwear,
colourful costumes...it is impressive. But, readers also hope to see what
the real life of the ethnic people is like today, not only their costumes
and most obvious distinct features, but what are the threats and concerns,
what are the various actions and activities undertaken by and for the ethnic
minorities and their interactions as part of the society as a whole. There
are quite many aspects to consider, even museums and local initiatives on
the promotion and awareness raising. So I would invite your magazine to consider
such topics as well.
Y: Thank
you for your advice, and we will try our best to improve our magazine.
