CIOFF®

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CIOFF is an international cultural non-governmental Organization (NGO) in formal consultative relations with UNESCO. Created in 1970, the duty of CIOFF is safeguarding, promotion and diffusion of traditional culture and folklore.

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42nd CIOFF® World Congress and Youth Forum Hosts 60 Countries in Paris, November 8 – 17, 2012

The 42nd CIOFF® annual World Congress and General Assembly were held in Paris, November 11-17, 2012 at the Centre International de Sejour Maurice Ravel (CISP). (Display the following...)

Over 200 people from 60 countries took part, with delegates traveling from as far away as New Zealand and Japan. CIOFF® Congress was preceded by CIOFF® Youth Forum, both of which were graciously hosted by CIOFF® France, led by its President Anne-Marie Ciolfi and CIOFF® International Secretary General Philippe Beaussant in partnership with La Ligue de l’Enseignement. The year 2012 marked an important achievement for CIOFF®, as it has become a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Official Partnership with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) accredited to the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage. As such, both the World Congress and Youth Forum received for the first time High Patronage of UNESCO. UNESCO Director General Mme Irina Bokova addressed the Congress delegates during the Opening Ceremony via a specially recorded video message, in which she acknowledged the contribution of CIOFF® to the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Mme Bokova lauded the organization's engagement of, and commitment to the youth, and she emphasised that UNESCO and CIOFF® share the same goal: to promote the diversity of cultural expressions and raise the potential for human development.

Olga Maloney