Discussionswere held at the Citizen Hallin the State Palace on principles of awarding the “Treasure of the Country” title, initiated by President of Mongolia. Representatives of Mongolian Academy of Sciences, scholars, professors and research fellowsfrom various universities and institutes, and talented folk artists participated in the discussion and exchanged opinions.

The Treasure of the Country title was one of the four core programs initiated and put forward by President Elbegdorj in his Presidential Election Platform in 2013. This program aims at identifying and conferring the title “Treasure of the Country” to an individual, or a group of individuals who master the unique and rare intangible cultural heritages of Mongols, to provide support to such individuals in further developing their unique skills and talents and conducting tutorial and training for the younger generation to carry on the intangible assets of the nation. The discussions were moderated by Mr. R. Bold, Human Development and Social Policy Advisor to the President of Mongolia. R.Bold led the discussion.

Chief of Staff of the Office of the President of Mongolia Mr.Tsagaan opened the discussions and said:“As many of you recall, the 2013 Presidential Election Platform of President Elbegdorj set forward 4 programs one of which was the “Treasure of the Country” program. Let me briefly elaborate on the main purpose of this program. In the past we took cultural heritages, the intangible heritages separate from the carriers, the individuals. The “Treasure of the Country” title link the heritage to the individual to carries it. Incomparable, unique, rare intangible heritages that the Mongols have carries for centuries, for millennia, and the talents, skills and wisdom of the people to carry on these heritages now need to be preserved intact and handed over to the younger generation.

Here in the Hall we have people who participated in developing the procedures for conferring this title. We are holding the concluding, final discussions of the title procedures today. People who have gathered here today are most authoritative and competent sources and references on the subject matter. I do kindly ask you to once again earnestly and thoroughly discuss the procedures for conferring this honorable title.

To-date the draft procedures already reflects opinions and viewpoints of many scholars, researchers and individuals. The draft provides for the title to be conferred on the eve of the Mongolian Lunar New Year Tsagaan Sar. Having conferred the title, we must provide support and assistance to the Title Holder to enable him or her transfer the skills, knowledge, traditions and wisdom to the new generation of Mongols. The “Treasure of the Country” program bear historical significance for the entire peoples of Mongolia, therefore engagement, participation of all of us is instrumental. Thank you for your support and participation”.

Advisor at the Cultural Heritage Center, Dr. S.Yundebat spoke about the experiences and practices of other countries to acknowledge and reward the carriers of intangible cultural heritage. According to him, some countries undertake certain programs to save and preserve the cultural heritages on the brink of extinction. Japan, for instance, has been taking actions since 1950s and initiated laws and legislations in 1975 and 2004 respectively. With the help of these acts, the government of Japan took traditional technologies, arts, cultures under protection and implemented a project “Human Treasure.” Also, South Korea initiated a similar project, and UNESCO adopted a convention for the safegaurding the intangible cultural heritages and recommended it to the member countries. South Korean government gives monetary rewards, protects health of the carriers, and works to improve the work environment for those who carry the heritage. In case the carriers do not comply with the responsibility to train the younger generation, the reward is withdrawn.
Human Development and Social Policy Advisor to the President of Mongolia R.Bold introduced the draft of principles of rewarding the “Treasure of the Country” title to the participants.
The title is envisaged to be of two types: gold and silver. Up to nine individuals will be conferred the title by the President of Mongolia during the Lunar New Year’s celebration, annually. Along with the title, monetary reward and a token will be awarded to the recipient. An individual recipient of Gold tribute will be given five million tugrugs, and a group of recipients - eight million tugrugs. Silver title is three and five million tugrugs, respectively.
The carriers of the intangible cultural heritage are responsible for teaching and transferring their knowledge and talent to the younger generation and report their activities to the public.
Participants of the public discussion shared their opinions as well. O.Nyamdavaa spoke about meeting people in India, who are convinced to be the carriers of Mongolian heritage. They spoke about the similar order and procedures in the Mongol Empire to acknowledge the wisest man, the most skillful military general, the best poet, the best architect, and other people with unique abilities and skills. Dr. S.Dulam highlighted that the “Treasure of the Country” Title is a sacred government policy of Mongolia.
Other comments addressed increasing the monetary reward, conditions for withdrawal of the title in case of the failure to carry the duties of training and polishing the criteria for selection of the title holder.