Morocco, Unesco sign pact to preserve crafts

Paris, Oct 17:   Morocco and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) signed an agreement here on Tuesday to create a "National Living Human Treasures System", an essential component of the national cultural heritage.

The agreement, signed by Tourism Minister Mohammed Sajid and Unesco Director-General Irina Bokova, is intended to trigger off a process of preserving traditional know-how with the involvement of Moroccan craftsmen.

It also aimed to ensure the perpetuation of different trades in danger of disappearing, mainly by the implementation of a National Living Human Treasures System and development of a pedagogical approach that will attract future generations and spark their interest in Moroccan craftsmanship.

The agreement, a part of implementing the provisions of the 2003 Unesco Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, sought to provide the national craft sector with a permanent mechanism that will ensure the setting up and regular updating of a national intangible cultural heritage inventory.