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Develop Pedagogical Tools & Conduct Trainings to Build Capacity
for the Integration of Intangible Cultural Heritage into University Coursework
in Tharparkar, Sindh

Project Overview

The initiative titled “Development of Pedagogical Tools and Capacity-Building Trainings for the Integration of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) into University Coursework in Tharparkar, Sindh” funded by the UNESCO Project Community-Based Inventorying and Capacity Building of the Indigenous Communities for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural heritage in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provinces, under UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund. The project builds directly upon the outcomes of our preceding project, “Community-Based Inventorying of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Tharparkar, Sindh” (July 2022 – February 2023). The earlier project successfully documented 19 ICH elements, providing the team with substantial experience in community engagement, participatory documentation, and effective communication with local cultural practitioners across Tharparkar.

Project Team:

• Prof. Dr. Anila Naeem – ICH Expert
• Ar. Farida Abdul Ghaffar – Project Lead
• Dr. Tania Ali Soomro – Project Support Officer
• Ar. Hussain Khalid – Community Engagement Officer
• Ar. Safeer Ahmed – Research Assistant
• Ayla Hasan – Communication Officer
• Anila Rahim – Data Manager  

Project Rationale and Methodology

The current phase focuses on the development of pedagogical resources to facilitate the incorporation of ICH into higher education curricula and on conducting capacity-building trainings for relevant stakeholders. Initial fieldwork involves individual and group consultation meetings with pre-established community networks and tradition bearers in Mithi, Pabohar Village, Tabbho Meghwar, Islamkot, Nagar Parkar, and surrounding areas. These consultations precede a Stakeholder Consultation Session, designed to consolidate insights and foster participatory planning. Notably, most of the tradition bearers associated with the previously documented 19 ICH elements have been re-engaged to ensure their sustained and meaningful participation.  		      
 
The first field visit aims to strengthen relationships with local stakeholders and identify key participants for the forthcoming consultation. The Stakeholder Consultation Session, to be conducted during this visit, will formulate a Roadmap for Integrative Engagement, fostering collaboration among students, faculty, community representatives, and tradition bearers for the safeguarding and transmission of ICH. Gender inclusivity will be prioritized through equitable participant representation and informed consent procedures. The consultation will further address challenges encountered by educators, learners, cultural practitioners, and governmental entities in ICH preservation and integration.

Development and Pilot Testing of Pedagogical Tools

Subsequent to the consultation, the project will develop three to four digital pedagogical tools, supported by supplementary instructional materials, including lecture outlines, PowerPoint presentations, experiential learning exercises, fieldwork proposals, cultural mapping activities, and case study assignments. These materials will be tested through a Teachers’ TrainingThe third milestone will be focused on teacher training and pedagogical pilot testing. The final component entails a two-day Capacity-Building Workshop for 10–15 community participants, including artisans and tradition bearers, with a deliberate emphasis on gender balance. This workshop will aim to enhance heritage-based entrepreneurial competencies, facilitate access to markets and institutional support, and strengthen participants’ confidence in promoting and economically benefiting from their cultural expressions.

Instagram links for the images:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DQCjRINDEgW/?igsh=MWtxYnNwbXZ4NWtzMw==
 https://www.instagram.com/p/DQRriTxjNwn/?igsh=cTJycGxldW5zdGpo