01453nas a2200157   4500000000100000008004100001100003000042700001600072700001700088700002000105700002200125245011700147490000700264520101000271022001401281                                       d1 aSawaros Thanapornsangsuth1 aKenna Edler1 aJonghwi Park1 aJun-ichi Takada1 aShinobu Yamaguchi00aIntangible cultural heritage safeguarding: a youth-led community of practice in Lao People s Democratic Republic0 v203 aThis paper illustrates how youth are motivated to safeguard intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in a community of practice (CoP). The study took place at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang, Lao People s Democratic Republic. The study first explores the perceived threats to safeguarding local ICH as seen by youth members. Subsequently, it presents a case study of how the youth members  relationship with the community impacts the transmission and manifestation of ICH as a CoP, emphasising mutual engagement, joint enterprise, shared repertoire and shared identity. Qualitative research methods, including interviews, field notes, observations and multimedia documentation, were employed. The results present the conditions for a youth-driven CoP, supporting youth experiences in: (1) enhancing their sense of local identity; (2) recognising the value of cultural knowledge; (3) engaging in collaborative learning with a culture bearer; and (4) being challenged to find innovative solutions.  a1975-3586