Introduction
The Liaison Bureau has been monitoring international trends and issues of relevance to the cultural policy sector since the last INCP Annual Ministerial Meeting in 2004. Discussions have taken place on a wide range of policy issues at a government, academic and civil society level. After monitoring key events and conferences held since October 2004, the Liaison Bureau has identified two cultural policy trends:
- Cultural policies and social cohesion; and
- Sustainable development and cultural diversity.
Cultural Policies and Social Cohesion
Over the last year international discussions and debates have focused on how culture can be used in fostering social cohesion. Social cohesion is defined as the interdependence between members of society or how individuals and groups relate to one another. Culture can be defined as a series of values, a shared sense of identity, and a unique understanding held by any given group.
Research is showing that cultural policies can strengthen social cohesion to help countries address ethnic, religious and linguistic tensions, increase citizen engagement, advance intercultural relations and provide for a level of security[1].
As governments continue to develop new strategies to strengthen social cohesion and manage diversity, cultural policies, such as measures to support arts organizations, become a key element to help sustain, enrich and advance the lives of citizens. Research has been showing that cultural identity, cultural heritage and viable cultural industries are fundamental in nurturing social cohesion and reinforcing a sense of national identity[2].
Embracing cultural diversity, within a framework of universal human rights and fundamental freedoms, is a requirement for the achievement of human security by helping strengthen social cohesion, helping to ensure good governance, and strengthening mutual respect and understanding.
By developing cultural policies that support social cohesion, governments can help individuals to better understand the differences between themselves, bridge any divides and in turn provide citizens with access to a level of peace and security.
Sustainable Development and Cultural Diversity
Recent discussions have also been taking place regarding the role of culture in sustainable development. For any form of development to be sustainable it must integrate environmental stewardship, economic development and the well being of all people. Some organizations have recently acknowledged that culture forms the fourth pillar of sustainable development alongside economic and social development, and environmental protection[3]. This is consistent with the 2002 Johannesburg Summit on Sustainable Development that also recognized the importance of building human solidarity included the promotion of dialogue and cooperation among the world’s civilizations and peoples, irrespective of race, disabilities, religion, language, culture or tradition.
As a result, focus has been placed on recognizing the role culture and heritage play in sustainable development in areas such as sustainable tourism, traditional knowledge, and cultural and creative industries.
Governments, academics and civil society have been looking at developing capacity to help them promote, preserve and safeguard their own culture, in an increasingly globalized world. This would also contribute to the long-term sustainability of a healthy, productive and cohesive society.
The role of culture in sustainable development is also linked with economic issues in that governments are recognizing that cultural goods and services play a dual role that contributes to both the economic and social development of a country. Current efforts have taken place to explore new ways to turn cultural expression in developing countries into sustainable cultural industries in order to enhance social and economic development. Both developed and developing countries continue to focus on the important role cultural goods and services play in income and employment generation and their direct impact on long-term sustainable development.
Governments may wish to develop cultural indicators in order to accurately measure the economic impact cultural policies have on communities with respect to job creation, poverty reduction and other socioeconomic issues.
Conclusion B Potential Avenues for the Future
The cultural policy trends outlined in this paper constitute but two issues of interest to the wider cultural community identified by the Liaison Bureau. The INCP continues to provide its members with a flexible, informal, non-binding forum suited to discussion and debate on a wide variety of cultural policy issues including the role of culture as it relates to social cohesion and sustainable development.
Prepared by the INCP’s Liaison Bureau
[1]UNESCO: Research on the Role of Culture in Social Cohesion, Paris, France, November 2004.
[2] Council of Europe: European Strategy for Social Cohesion, Strasbourg, France, March 2004.
[3]United Nations International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States – The Role of Culture in Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius, January 10-14, 2005.
Back to Top |