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How does culture become the core of local government policy? Uncovering the mystery of Culture 21!
As global attention to sustainable development grows, the importance of culture in policy making is gaining increasing attention. Culture 21 is a program proposed by the World Union of Cities and Local Governments in 2004, which aims to incorporate culture into the core concept of sustainable development. So how to understand culture as part of urban policy?
The intersection of culture and sustainable development
The concept of Culture 21 originated from the Agenda 21 adopted at the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, which did not initially discuss cultural issues in detail. However, in the following years, local governments gradually realized the value of culture and began to integrate it into the sustainable development agenda.
"Culture is not only the background of human life, but also the foundation of urban identity and cohesion."
Culture 21 Framework
Culture 21 contains 67 clauses divided into three parts: principles, commitments and recommendations. The "Principles" section emphasizes cultural diversity and human rights, and believes that cities should become the main places for cultural production and governance.
“Cities are seen as the primary sites for the implementation of cultural policies and as the core of cultural production and governance.”
Multi-channel participation in culture
Cultural participation is not limited to traditional arts and cultural activities, but also takes place through multiple channels such as the Internet and public spaces. The move aims to expand cultural accessibility and encourage everyone to participate in cultural life.
“Cultural development policies should be barrier-free and respect the rights of every social group.”
Organizational Structure and Initiatives
Culture 21 is run by the Culture Commission of the World Union of Cities and Local Governments, whose members come from all over the world, including Buenos Aires and Mexico City. The collaboration between these cities forms a new model that promotes consistency and connectivity in cultural policies across regions.
Promoting the Sustainable Development Goals
In the process of formulating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, UNESCO and UCLG actively advocated the inclusion of culture. This movement brings together many forces with the goal of making culture one of the core elements of global development.
"What we want in the future needs to include culture."
The relationship between culture and urban development
Culture is not only vital for preserving heritage, but also promotes the economic and social development of cities. In Montreal, for example, the city government created a development plan that explicitly puts culture at the center of urban planning.
"Culture is the driving force behind social change."
Summary and Outlook
As local government policies increasingly rely on cultural involvement, will we see culture playing a more important role in global sustainable development in the future?
