This section showcases a selection of the latest developments in cultural public policy from UNESCO Member States. Whilst reactive measures to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cultural sector are expected to largely guide cultural public policies throughout 2021, there are positive signs that countries are transitioning from recovery measures to longer-term strategies to build resilience in their cultural sectors.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Republic of Korea has announced an additional budget of KRW 157.2 billion (US$138 million) to tackle the employment crisis in the cultural sector and support the industries hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding relief is estimated to secure the jobs of over 15,000 cultural professionals.
In United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Culture and Youth has announced its agenda for the 2021 International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, including hosting a World Conference on Creative Economy at Expo 2020 in Dubai, and launching strategies and legislation to support the cultural and creative industries, independent cultural workers and intellectual property rights.
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development has taken steps to boost tourism and heritage recovery through a €2 million envelope to UNESCO for actions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Georgia, Indonesia, Kenya, Namibia and Viet Nam. The 18-month project will build on the UNESCO Sustainable Tourism Pledge and will address some of the immediate socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on tourism and heritage.
The Ministry of Culture of Argentina has launched the initiative “Reactivar Escenas”, which will provide financial support to independent live music venues and theatres throughout the country. The Government will allocate 200 million pesos (US$2.2 million) to cover 30% of the capacity of 1,000 venues.
In Madagascar, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Handicrafts has joined with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to create a digital platform to promote Vita Malagasy (Made in Madagascar) products in national and international markets. The platform will also allow artists to sell their artworks and buy raw materials for their work.
The Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia has adopted a new strategy to boost the participation of the non-profit sector in cultural planning and activities. The strategy brings together 16 professional associations working across various cultural fields.
In Burkina Faso, the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism has approved a strategic plan for the development of travel and tourism circuits. The plan is the result of a joint collaboration between the General Directorate of Tourism and other public and private tourism actors in Burkina Faso to improve tourism governance and products, and enable the sector better access to resources.
China has approved its policy document “Outline of the fourteenth Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-term Goals for 2035”. The blueprint lays out a range of culture-based actions - including tourism, infrastructure, heritage, cultural industries - to be supported by digital technologies, as well as underlines the need for dialogue and cooperation among cultures, and modern approaches to governance.
In Denmark, the Palaces and Culture Agency has launched a pilot project to restore six heritage-listed buildings in outlying areas throughout the country. The project builds on a nation-wide study that showed that the conservation values of some 300 of 7,150 heritage-listed buildings are at risk.
The Prime Minister of the Russian Federation has approved the new Strategy for the Development of Librarianship in the Russian Federation until 2030, which targets increased public access to libraries and modernization of the institutions. The preparation of the Strategy was a joint collaboration between the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the professional community.
In Mexico, the Secretary of Tourism and the National Fund for the Promotion of Handicrafts (FONART) have signed a collaboration agreement to develop craft routes and corridors in various tourist destinations in the country, including Magical Towns and cities inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Ministry of Culture of Egypt has opened the Port Said Talent Development Centre for training youth in the cultural and creative industries, which has kick-started over 100 activities planned to take place in Port Said throughout the year to celebrate the city’s designation as Egyptian Capital of Culture for 2021.
The Government of Bhutan has launched its first Creative Industries Export Strategy (2021-2025) that aims to provide a foundation to develop the cultural and creative industries, such as film, music, graphic design and related software development. The Strategy is the outcome of an extensive and multi-stakeholder consultation process, and aligns with the objectives of the country’s broader development plans.
The Musicians Union of Ghana has launched a campaign that unites various Ghanian artists to support national efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19. The Ministry of Information, the National Commission on Culture, the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) and UNESCO back the awareness-raising campaign.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport of Guyana has announced plans to create a National Cultural and Creative Industries Policy, and increase funding to support cultural infrastructure development and upgrading heritage sites.
The governments of Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in the creative economy, notably architecture, fashion, design, art and publishing.
The governments of Mauritania and Oman have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the management of historical documents and archives. The agreement includes provisions for printing and exchanging manuscripts and books, publishing, safeguarding measures and use of technologies.
The Lithuanian Council for Culture has allocated €250,000 to co-fund 30 projects led by cultural and art organizations located in the cities of Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda, as part of the Creative Communities Initiatives programme.
In Paraguay, the Minister of Culture, the Secretariat for Language Policies (SPL) and the Ministry of Labour have announced plans to ensure stronger protection for the Guaraní language and heritage through training programmes and initiatives to fight discrimination in the workplace. The three institutions will also establish a shared complaint reception system in order to detect and prevent conflict and discrimination.
In Panama, the Ministry of Culture (MiCultura) and the Public Registry have signed a framework agreement for cooperation and technical assistance to develop the National Archive of Panama based on a long-term strategic alliance to safeguard culture and strengthen research in the country.
Canadian Heritage has stepped up actions to revive the live arts and music sectors by committing a CAD 40 million (US$32 million) envelope to COVID-19-safe events in the arts and music sectors - both live and digital - and providing work opportunities in these sectors. The fund is part of the Canadian Government’s CAD 181.5 million (US$146.4 million) allocation for the live arts and music sectors in 2021-2022.