Antonio A. Arantes B.A., M.Sc. (Sao Paulo University, Brazil) PhD(University of Cambridge/Kings College) is professor of socialanthropology at UNICAMP – State University of Campinas, Brazil, anddirector of Andrade e Arantes Consultancy. Is Past-President of theBrazilian Anthropological Association (ABA) and the Latin AmericanAnthropological Association (ALA). His expertise on public policies andcultural heritage was consolidated in consultancy assignments to severalprograms developed by non-governmental, governmental and multilateralorganizations such as UNESCO and WIPO. He developed significantprofessional experience in policymaking and management of publicinstitutions as President of the Sao Paulo State Council for HistoricPreservation (CONDEPHAAT) and of the Brazilian National Institute forHistoric and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN). Under his presidency in IPHANthe Department of Immaterial Heritage and the National Program forImmaterial Cultural Heritage were implemented. He gave workshops oncultural heritage inventory methods in Brazil, Madagascar andMozambique, developed several academic research projects, andpublished books, articles and technical reports about cultural heritage inthe context of contemporary social experience and on related subjects.Relevant intellectual contributions in the field to cultural heritage alsoinclude the development of the methodology adopted by the BrazilianMinistry of Culture for the National Inventory of Cultural References, aswell as papers presented in national and international experts’ meetings,particularly in France, Japan and India.