DRAFT DECISION 8.COM 8.8
The Committee
1. Takes note that China has nominated Chinese Zhusuan, knowledge and practices of mathematical calculation through the abacus (No. 00853) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
Chinese Zhusuan is a time-honoured traditional method of performing mathematical calculations with an abacus. Practitioners can perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponential multiplication, root and more complicated equations by moving beads along the abacus rods according to defined formulas. Chinese Zhusuan has played a vital role in giving an impetus to mathematical studies, promoting algorithmic practices and fostering intelligence. Zhusuan oral formulas have easy-to-learn rhymes that represent specific calculation rules and summarize the arithmetic operations. Beginners can make quick calculations after some fairly basic training, while proficient practitioners develop an agile mind. Zhusuan is widely used in Chinese life and is an important symbol of traditional Chinese culture, providing a strong sense of cultural identity. It has been handed down through generations by traditional methods of oral teaching and self-learning. Training in abacus-based mental arithmetic is thought to improve a child’s attention span, memory and mental capability. Today, it contributes to the advancement of calculating techniques, cognitive schemas, educational psychology and intellectual development. It also has a far-reaching influence in various fields of cultural creativity, including folk customs, language, literature, sculpture and architecture.
2. Decides that, from the information included in the file, the nomination satisfies the following criteria for inscription on the Representative List:
R.1: Zhusuan is considered by Chinese people as a cultural symbol of their identity as well as a practical tool; transmitted from generation to generation, it is a calculating technique adapted to multiple aspects of daily life, serving multiform socio-cultural functions and offering the world an alternative knowledge system;
R.2: Inscription of Chinese Zhusuan on the Representative List could contribute to enhancing visibility of the intangible cultural heritage and promote respect for human creativity, particularly as an example of adaptability to contemporary needs;
R.3: Current efforts to protect and promote Chinese Zhusuan are described and proposed safeguarding measures such as the publication of research on the element, the creation of manuals, and its promotion through contests, demonstrations and seminars are supported by the State Party and organizations concerned;
R.4: The element has been nominated with the active participation in particular of the Chinese Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Association, as well as of bearers, scholars, organizations, and in cooperation with regional and national authorities; the communities provided their free, prior and informed consent;
R.5: Chinese Zhusuan was included in 2008 on the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage maintained by the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture.
3. Inscribes Chinese Zhusuan, knowledge and practices of mathematical calculation through the abacus on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
From：
http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?lg=en&pg=665
教科文保护非物质文化遗产政府间委员会
第八届常会第8项议程8.8号决议
委员会
1. 注意到中国已提名将“中国珠算──运用算盘进行数学计算的知识与实践”(申报文件编号为00853）列入“人类非物质文化遗产代表作名录”：
中国珠算以算盘为工具，是一种历史悠久的传统运算方法。人们根据口诀，通过手指拨珠，便可以完成包括加、减、乘、除、乘方、开方以及解高次方程等数学计算。中国珠算在中国数学研究、运算实践和智力培养方面一直发挥着重要作用。珠算口诀易于掌握，既是运算规律的具体体现，又是运算实践的概括总结，初学者只需适度训练就可达到快速计算的水平，而且珠算能手普遍头脑反应敏捷。珠算被广泛应用于中国人的生活中，是中国传统文化的重要象征，具有高度的文化认同感。珠算主要通过口传身授和自我习得的传统模式而得以世代相传。珠心算的训练能提高儿童的注意力、记忆力和思维能力。今天，珠算不仅在促进计算技术、认知图式、教育心理、智力启蒙等方面发挥着作用，而且对文化创造的诸多领域如民俗、语言、文学、雕刻及建筑等也产生了深远的影响。
2. 申报材料中所包括的信息说明，该提名满足了列入“代表作名录”的如下评审标准：
R.1 ：珠算既是中国人文化认同的象征，也是一种实用工具；这种计算技术经世代传承，一直适用于日常生活的许多领域，具有多重社会文化功能，为世界提供了另一种知识体系。
R.2 ：将中国珠算列入代表名录，有利于提升非物质文化遗产的可见度，促进对人类创造力的尊重，尤其是提供了一个适应当代需求的范例。
R.3 ：对当前保护和弘扬中国珠算的努力做出了描述，制订的保护计划包括出版该项目的研究成果、编制手册，以及在政府和相关组织的支持下举办比赛、示范和研讨会等。
R.4 ：该遗产项目的提名申报，体现了传承人、学者和社团组织，尤其中国珠算心算协会的积极参与，以及与地区和国家政府部门的合作。相关社区提供了尊重其意愿且事先知情的同意书。
R.5 ：中国珠算于2008年列入国家级非物质文化遗产名录，该名录由中国文化部非物质文化遗产司负责更新。
3. 将“中国珠算──运用算盘进行数学计算的知识与实践”列入“人类非物质文化遗产代表作名录”。
（翻译By巴莫老师）
