About the Culture Sector
The 1982 Mexico Declaration on Cultural Policies by UNESCO defines culture as the distinct spiritual, material, intellectual, and emotional features characterizing a society. It encompasses arts, lifestyle, human rights, value systems, traditions, and beliefs. Culture shapes individuals and societies, fostering unity through shared values and traditions. In the face of global challenges such as conflicts, epidemics, climate change, and technological advances, UNESCO emphasizes the need to preserve culture for both individuals and societies. UNESCO's cultural initiatives include safeguarding historic sites, promoting creativity, supporting artistic innovation, preserving diversity through living and intangible heritage, and addressing the importance of sustaining cultural jobs and livelihoods in the creative economy.
Our mission
UNESCO's cultural action encompasses 4 challenges
Culture in the 2030 Agenda
Indeed, if the SDGs are grouped around the economic, social, and environmental objectives as the three pillars of sustainable development, then culture and creativity contribute to each of these pillars transversally.