Introduction: Approaching Music as Intangible Cultural Heritage

The 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was a major step in addressing concerns about musical diversity and vitality on a global scale; 180 nation-states have ratified the Convention to date. Many have developed policies to address the sustainability of their music practices. On the eve of the twentieth anniversary of the Convention, 14 experts were invited to reflect on two decades of approaching music as Intangible Cultural Heritage. In introducing the contributions to this volume, this chapter introduces the genesis of the Convention, its most prominent features, its workings and successes, and the challenges that have arisen from using this framework to address threats to music sustainability worldwide.