On May 6, reflections and exchange of views of international experts began on the mechanisms for introducing cultural elements into the UNESCO lists under the 2003 Convention. This meeting was convened at the request of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and is generously supported by the Government of Japan. Participants discussed, inter alia, (A) the overall approach to the listing mechanism; (B) issues related to the criteria of inscription; (C) issues related to the follow-up of inscribed elements and (D) methodology for the evaluation of nominations.…