Introduction 

Cultural heritage is more than just physical objects; it is the histories and identities of communities. It connects communities to both their pasts and futures. One of UNESCO’s top priorities is working to prevent loss in these cultures. Supporting proactive plans protects this heritage. As conflict and disasters continue across the globe, much of this heritage is at risk. However, community-based frameworks can help locals protect and preserve their culture. Also, the global community can increase the capacity of communities. In considering recent events, delegates can be best prepared to discuss and debate UNESCO’s plans.

Community-Based Protection Frameworks in Conflict Zones 

Protecting local culture is critical for the well-being of people worldwide. Community-led protection plays a key role in this. Local people are often the first to act when heritage is at risk. They can often respond more quickly than an outside group. Often, locals also have the greatest understanding of the heritage and its importance. For these reasons, they are usually best able to protect and preserve it. As a result, community-led protection is growing and offers a model that other regions can use when culture is at risk.

A recent example of this is a November 2025 capacity-building workshop held in Nepal. The workshop was in response to the effects of a devastating flood from the year before. It looked at how the flood affected cultural life in the Solukhumbu region. Participants evaluated not only the physical damage but also the damage done to local culture. These included the rituals, oral stories, and crafts that have been disrupted. Elders said the flood harmed both buildings and traditions. Thus, the workshop was intended to have the residents, women’s groups, and Indigenous youth document their own intangible cultural heritage. This was one of the first efforts in the region to treat cultural loss as part of disaster recovery.

This flood changed daily life in the community. Much of the community had to flee their homes. The flood damaged gathering spaces and lost ritual objects. Sacred sites, communal spaces, seasonal rituals, and oral traditions connected to the landscape were affected. These changes overall made it harder to practice traditions. Everyday activities, such as weaving, storytelling, and festival preparation, were also affected. As extreme weather events increase in the region, more communities will face similar problems.

During the workshop, participants used a community-led mapping method. By sharing memories and listing their at-risk practices, participants gained a clearer view of what was threatened. This initiative was supported by the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund, which helps UNESCO respond quickly to challenges not planned for in its annual budget. With many regions at risk for natural disasters, this model could help prepare other communities. Already, an estimated 73 percent of all non-marine UNESCO World Heritage Sites are exposed to at least one severe water risk, with more threats certain as climate change increases.

Delegates should consider the effectiveness of this fund and workshop when proposing new plans in committee. Stakeholders can best discuss plans for the organization by understanding current practices and how countries support them.

Capacity-Building & Safeguarding Intangible Heritage

When cultures face loss, many reactions focus on the physical objects that were destroyed. While these are important, UNESCO is also working to protect the intangible parts of heritage. This living culture comprises rituals, dances, music, and more. They connect people to their homes and the broader community. The importance of this intangible heritage is clear. It helps to strengthen people and their communities, especially during times of hardship. Currently, UNESCO has 317 related projects within 161 benefitting countries, amounting to nearly USD 50 million spent on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.

Thus, UNESCO is motivated to preserve this heritage also in conflict or disaster zones. These traditions often provide support connecting family, neighbors, and broader communities during a conflict. However, conflict and disasters also disrupt or destroy the normal ways of sharing culture. Safe gathering spaces are limited, and elders are unable to instill the stories they had once learned themselves. Therefore, UNESCO is helping develop a new space for these cultures to thrive. They have launched a new initiative to begin digitizing these traditions to protect them for the future. This entails working with elders and cultural experts to create records. These new online resources will ideally help preserve heritage under threat.

Heritage not only improves the quality of life but may also protect lives. A program among Pacific island states integrates traditional knowledge and living heritage into classroom education for disaster risk reduction. As extreme weather events and climate change worsen, this becomes a growing threat. These cultural practices help communities anticipate, understand, and respond to natural hazards. By teaching students how past generations navigated storms, floods, and environmental change, the program strengthens preparedness and resilience. Participants report feeling safer and better equipped to respond to disasters, showing that cultural knowledge can be a practical tool for climate adaptation as well as education.

UNESCO identifies what intangible cultural heritage is at risk to effectively support vulnerable communities. The List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding is updated and approved annually by the Intergovernmental Committee. The list helps prioritize UNESCO’s actions and gives member states a platform to advocate for their most threatened cultural practices and communities. The list is publicly accessible and includes naval carpentry art of the Aveiro region in Portugal, artisanal sea salt in Bohol Island, Philippines, and the Mwazindika spiritual dance from Kenya.

At the most recent committee session in December 2025, 11 nominations were placed under the most urgent safeguarding category. An additional 54 were recognized as facing moderate levels of threat. Using this list as a guiding framework allows UNESCO to target support where it is most needed while recognizing the cultural significance of these practices to local communities. All of this work helps communities stay strong. When people maintain their traditions, the global community benefits.

Conclusion

These programs show the important work UNESCO is continuing to do across the globe. Much of this work relies on the support of local governments and groups to be most effective. Delegates will need to understand the complex situations surrounding cultural heritage and work to see it protected. One thing is for certain—the risks to cultural heritage are only going to increase in the coming years. Therefore, it is up to all people to address this threat.

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