Mongolia: Trainings to advance creativity for development

A series of training and outreach activities will take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 10-13 September 2019. The activities, organized by UNESCO Beijing Office, are part of UNESCO’s project “Reshaping Cultural Policies for the Promotion of Fundamental Freedoms and the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.” Guided by the principles set out by UNESCO’s 2005 Convention, it assists emerging creative industries in developing countries through innovative cultural policies, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

Mongolian national team, composed of cultural actors ranging from government agencies, universities to civil society organizations, will attend the 3-day training workshop. The team, which assumes the leading role in the project, will deepen their knowledge on evidence-based, participatory policymaking and policy monitoring. The team will work together with Charles Vallerand and Bodibaatar Jigjidsuren, members of UNESCO’s Expert Facility. Drawing on the new information and tools acquired at the training, the team is expected to prepare a comprehensive Quadrennial Periodic Report (QPR) – an obligatory report assessing policies, initiatives and efforts made by Parties to implement the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005) – backed by evidence and data to be presented by April 2020.

A one-day media diversity workshop will take place after the three-day programme in order to familiarize and involve civil society organizations and media professionals in the work of the Team. Active participation of non-governmental actors and media experts is indispensable for policy monitoring and advocacy for issues related to media diversity – a major topic addressed by the UNESCO 2005 Convention.

QPR Training Workshop: sustainable systems of governance for culture (10-12 September)

Since ratifying the 2005 Convention in 2007, Mongolia has worked steadily to establish a cultural ecosystem that supports the sustainable growth and development of arts and culture. In particular, the country put an emphasis on the production and commercialization of cultural goods and services.

A comprehensive Report should include data and statistics that reveal the impact and effectiveness of cultural policies and measures that aim to promote the diversity of cultural expressions. In order to prepare the Team for this task, the workshop works the members through participatory drafting processes on the content of Mongolia’s third QPR, due in April 2020.

“Create l 2030” Talk: Capturing the voices of creative workers

In order to ensure that cultural policies adequately meet the needs and challenges of cultural and creative sectors, UNESCO will take this opportunity to provide creative workers and civil society members a space to share their thoughts, ideas and experiences.

Media Diversity Workshop: Diversity in the media matters (13 September)

Media is an enabler and driver of development – they are producers, commissioners, distributors, disseminators and mediators of a vibrant array of high-quality cultural content. Diversity in the media is a matter of stimulating cultural expressions and this message will be conferred to Mongolian professionals to better engage in advocacy and monitoring efforts.

Media diversity is one of the key areas in the 2005 Convention’s Monitoring Framework. In order for policies to effectively enhance Mongolia’s media diversity, media professionals must feel empowered to engage in policy dialogue and to advocate for issues related to the diversity of cultural expressions and media.