Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, UCL is London's leading multidisciplinary university, with more than 13,000 staff and 42,000 students from 150 different countries. UCL is a community with the freedom and courage to challenge, to question and to think differently. Through a progressive approach to teaching and research, world leading academics, curious students and outstanding staff continually pursue excellence, break boundaries and make an impact on real world problems. The UCL Institute of Archaeology in conjunction with IICAS implements the Central Asian Archaeological Landscapes (CAAL) project, dedicated to the digitisation of archaeological heritage across this vast region – one that stretches from the Caspian Sea to western China. The project has been made possible by the generosity of Arcadia – a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin.

The Kazakh Research Institute of Culture was established in 1934 as one of the very first research centers in Kazakhstan and immediately became an outpost of domestic science. Distinguished scientists and educators, like Sarsen Amanzholov, Saken Seyfullin, Mukhtar Auezov, Akhmet Baitursynov and many others, were at the origin of the Institute. Kazakh Research Institute of Culture joins professionals, famous scientists from Kazakhstan and abroad who are actively involved in the study, research, and promotion of Kazakhstan’s unique cultural heritage. The Institute carries out comprehensive scientific research on culture, history, art, archeology through the use of innovative methodological strategies. The mission of the Kazakh Research Institute of Culture is to conduct an in-depth systematic analysis of culture in accordance with the Concept of Cultural Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and ensure integration into the world’s cultural space and effective international cooperation.

The General Director of the Institute is Andrey Khazbulatov.

Collaboration: Restoration of historical sites of the Kultobe settlement

Web-sites: http://www.kultobe.com

http://www.cultural.kz

The 35th session of the General Conference of UNESCO (2009) approved the proposal of the Republic of Korea on establishment of the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region as a centre under the auspices of UNESCO (ICHCAP, category 2 centre). Centre is located in Jeonju (Jeollabuk Province, Republic of Korea, https://www.unesco-ichcap.org). The ICHCAP specializes in information and networking and its objectives: (I) to promote the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003 Convention) and contribute to its implementation in the Asia-Pacific region; (II) to increase the participation of communities, groups and individuals in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage (ICH), and raise awareness of and ensure respect for ICH in the Asia-Pacific region; (III) to enhance the capacity for safeguarding ICH in the Asia-Pacific region through coordination and dissemination of information; (IV) to foster regional and international cooperation for the safeguarding of ICH. The specific functions of the Centre are: (1) to establish an information system, support identification and documentation of ICH, conserve and digitize archival materials and support the development of metadata standards; (2) to disseminate the accumulated data on ICH in informational and promotional materials, and promote the protection of intellectual property rights of ICH practitioners and creators included in such informational materials; (3) to build networks among concerned communities, groups and individuals to reinforce transmission and dissemination of ICH, organize public events and meetings at the regional and international levels; (4) to strengthen international and regional networks to exchange information and knowledge concerning the safeguarding of ICH. The Centre’s activities and programmes are carried out in conformity with the 2003 Convention. The governing structure consists of two entities, a Governing Board and an Executive Committee, which will be assisted by the Secretariat of the Centre. A representative of the Director-General of UNESCO is a member of the Governing Board. Through the Centre’s information activities and networks, UNESCO’s programme in the field of ICH is benefiting significantly as they permit the Organization to be better informed about the countries in the region, their capacities and needs. The Centre is contributing to increase the visibility in the region of the 2003 Convention and of UNESCO’s related action. ICHCAP officially operates since 2011.