UNESCO Chair at the Latvian Academy of Culture Extended Until 2029
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has extended the agreement for the UNESCO Chair on Intangible Cultural Heritage Policy and Law at the Latvian Academy of Culture (LAC) until 31 December 2029. This decision confirms LAC’s sustainable contribution to international research and development in the field of intangible cultural heritage policy and legal frameworks.
“For nearly ten years, the UNESCO Chair at the Latvian Academy of Culture has demonstrated our researchers’ consistent long-term commitment and the weight of their scientific expertise at the international level in matters related to intangible cultural heritage policy and regulation. Research in this field is carried out at the level of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral theses, as well as in national and international research projects, bringing together Latvian and international research teams while ensuring the next generation of scholars in this area,” emphasises LAC Vice-Rector for Research Anda Laķe.
Since its establishment in 2017, the UNESCO Chair at LAC has become an important platform for international research and policy dialogue in the field of intangible cultural heritage. It promotes cooperation with academic institutions, policymakers, experts and cultural sector professionals, addressing issues of heritage safeguarding, governance, legal regulation and community engagement.
Between 2021 and 2025, the Chair implemented several internationally significant research projects, including the continuation of the comparative research programme “Osmose” on legal regulation of intangible cultural heritage in different countries. It has also led a comparative study on European traditional craft policies and legal frameworks within the Horizon Europe-funded project “Tracks4Crafts” (2023–2027).
The Chair actively collaborates with the UNESCO Secretariat, providing expert input on States Parties’ periodic reports regarding the implementation of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and contributing to thematic initiatives on the economic and social dimensions of intangible cultural heritage. Cooperation is also strengthened with other UNESCO Chairs in Europe and beyond, as well as with the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO. The Chair brings together researchers and students from various countries and academic disciplines, including cultural studies and law. This interdisciplinary approach enables in-depth analysis of the cultural, social and legal aspects shaping contemporary intangible cultural heritage policy.
Special attention in the Chair’s research is devoted to the human rights dimension of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, including indigenous peoples’ rights and principles of inclusive sustainable development. In this context, research has been developed on the legal protection of Northern European indigenous heritage, alongside
strengthened cooperation with communities in Latvia, including in matters concerning the safeguarding of the Suiti cultural space.
From 2025 to 2029, the Chair plans to continue and expand comparative research on intangible cultural heritage policy and law, with particular attention to the economic dimensions of crafts, the role of intangible cultural heritage in social welfare and health policy, the interconnections between culture and nature, and the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in the context of climate change and technological development.
UNESCO has confirmed that Dr.art. Anita Vaivade will continue to serve as Chairholder. The activities of the Chair are implemented within the framework of the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme, which promotes inter-university cooperation, knowledge exchange and capacity-building in UNESCO’s fields of competence.
More information: https://lka.edu.lv/en/research/unesco-chair/
Additional information:
Baiba Tjarve
baiba.tjarve@lka.edu.lv