Cultural heritage as a tool for development and diplomacy: Examining further uses of UNESCO's intangible heritage-based socioeconomic development programs for women

This thesis will examine UNESCO trend on policies and conventions that focus on and affect the creation of intangible heritage-based women's socioeconomic development programs. Following this line of inquiry, the thesis will next examine in detail intangible heritage policies and conventions, and the execution and implementation of preservation policies and treaties. The research will then specifically detail and analyze development projects that were initiated by UNESCO as case studies of how heritage based development policies operate and succeed. The conclusion of this paper will propose how the combination of intangible heritage preservation and women's development projects can be used to further international cultural diplomatic efforts and relations. This can be achieved by the creation of bilateral treaties between nations and through the application of these culturally focused women's development programs, including post-conflict recovery opportunities.