VU Prof. R. Laužikas Became a Member of the UNESCO Commission for the Evaluation of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

Professor Rimvydas Laužikas of Vilnius University (VU) has become a member of the Evaluation Commission of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO, the Lithuania‘s PermDel to UNESCO announced.

The Lithuanian archaeologist, historian and former Dean of Communication at Vilnius University became a member of the Commission on Saturday, during the election in Morocco. Lithuania competed with experts from Albania and Romania in the second group of the election. Lithuania received 19 votes out of 24 Committee members.

"A new phase of exciting but challenging work is about to begin. I would like to thank Jolanta Balčiūnienė, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to UNESCO, the team of the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Lithuania to UNESCO, the Secretariat of the Lithuanian National Commission for UNESCO, and especially Milda Valančiauskienė. Also, to the entire Lithuanian team here at the UNESCO session in Morocco. You have done a lot of very hard communication work," the professor wrote on Facebook.

According to the Lithuanian National Commission for UNESCO, "Prof. Laužikas' interdisciplinary research interests combine the study of intangible heritage (gastronomic heritage) with heritage communication and the study of the functioning of heritage in contemporary society. As the recent discussions on the inscription of intangible heritage sites on the UNESCO List and on the sites already on the List show, these competencies are essential for better dialogue and strengthening the organisation."

The Evaluation Panel is renewed by one-third each year. The Commission considers and makes recommendations on applications for the inscription of properties on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists submitted by Member States and on requests for international support. The Evaluation Panel shall be composed of 6 members representing Member States (currently not members of the Intergovernmental Committee) and six representatives of non-governmental organisations accredited to this Committee.