Awareness programme for schools on cultural diversity

THE UNESCO regional office in association with the Archaeology Department, University of Peradeniya will carryout an exercise on cultural mapping of the heritage city of Kandy in 2005/2006.

The phace one of the awareness programme, a two-day exhibition and seminar programme will be held at the Peradeniya University premises on January 18 and 19. The morning session of January 18 will be for school children of the Kandy Municipality limits.

The awareness programme will focus on the Kandy Heritage City and its associated multicultural heritage, shared culture and intangible heritage.

The Kandy Heritage City having an antiquity of over five centuries has harmonised its existence with a healthy blend of religious and social life of the Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Islamic heritage in its beautiful natural surroundings.

In an era when the national effort is focused towards reconciliation and peaceful co-existence with greater understanding and respect for diversity, UNESCO and professional archaeologists of the Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya view the role of school children as a pivotal factor in this process. The aim of the programme is:

Capacity building in the revitalisation process of the Kandy Heritage City considering schoolchildren as main stakeholders.

To safeguard the intangible cultural heritage.

To ensure respect for diversity and the intangible cultural heritage of the communities, groups and individuals concerned.

To raise awareness at the local, national and international levels on the importance of the intangible cultural heritage, and ensuring mutual appreciation thereof.