Celebrating 15 years of Diversity and Creativity
14 Oct 2020
Now, more than ever, we need creativity and diversity.
The year 2020 was set to be a major anniversary year and a moment of reflection for UNESCO and culture sector – the 15th anniversary of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005 Convention), the 10th anniversary of the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD) and the 40th anniversary of the UNESCO Recommendation Concerning the Status of the Artist (1980 Recommendation).
Each represents an important milestone in international cultural policy and creative economy. They embody the global community’s commitment to supporting artists and creativity around the world. Through these instruments, culture and creative industries have been recognized as drivers of inclusive economic growth that can reduce inequalities and contribute to the achievement of the goals set out in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
The COVID-19 crisis, however, has changed the cultural landscape forever, threatening to undo gains achieved over the last 40 years. While 2020 celebrations take place in the “new normal” unimaginable when the anniversary year began, today’s culture crisis has only increased the importance of the three UNESCO instruments.
This is why on 21 October 2020, UNESCO will host a special edition of ResiliArt.
This unique online event will consist in a high-level panel discussion with artists and cultural professionals from around the world about the past and future of creativity as a pillar of UNESCO’s work. It will also feature testimonials from the individuals whose relentless efforts brought about the entry into force of the 2005 Convention.
