UNESCO’s programme on Mapping of Indigenous Cultural Resources

The UNESCO’s programme on Mapping of Indigenous Cultural Resources intends to foster the identity of indigenous communities and their participation in decisions concerning their development. UNESCO collaborates with different resource persons and networks from around the world to develop appropriate tools and methods. It supports pilot projects, facilitates information exchange and analysis and organizes training to reinforce cultural mapping capacity of decision makers and planners with responsibility in areas such as the transmission of indigenous knowledge systems, education for sustainable development, multicultural citizenship, safeguarding of intangible heritage and/or the conservation of biological diversity. The mapping of indigenous cultural resources carried out by indigenous communities is a way to help mainstream the principles of the UNESCO Declaration on Cultural Diversity (2001) and the related UNESCO Conventions: the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005), the Convention on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage (2003) and the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1974).

Participatory Learning and Action (PLA)

Aimed at newcomers and experienced practitioners, Participatory Learning and Action is a leading informal journal on participatory learning and action approaches and methods, reaching over 20,000 readers in 121 countries. Since its first issue in 1988, it has provided a forum for those engaged in participatory work - community workers, activists and researchers - to share their experiences, conceptual reflections and methodological innovations with others, providing a genuine voice from the field.

Special issues of Participatory Learning and Action focus on a particular application of participation, for example, community-based conservation (PLA 55), mapping for change (PLA 54) and tools for influencing power and policy (PLA 53). A regular section which contains general articles on participation, tips for trainers and resources on participation is also included. PLA editors welcome contributions, particularly from practitioners in the South and can offer editorial support and advice. All material is reviewed by our international editorial board to ensure its relevance and topicality.

Participatory Learning and Action is published twice a year. It is available on subscription, both in hard copy and online. Most readers from the South can subscribe for free. The latest issues are also available free to subscribers online, or pay to view for non-subscribers. In addition, back issues can be downloaded for free.

All the material is copyright free and we encourage photocopying of articles for sharing and training, provided the source is acknowledged. For more information visit http://www.planotes.org/