Voices of culture – eu stakeholder dialogue on culture & sdgs


When
2021
Who
European commission
Website of the policy/measure

Description of the policy/measure

In 2020, the commission convened two meetings for and with european cultural and creative sector stakeholders, under its voices of culture structured dialogue, on the topic “culture and the sustainable development goals: challenges and opportunities”. following an open call for applications, 47 organizations were selected to participate. they were invited to focus their discussions in five areas: • education. what can the eu do to support arts education and citizenship education to promote peaceful, inclusive and sustainable societies? • growth and employment. how can the eu help improve working conditions for artists? how should it support the international year of creative economy for sustainable development? how should sustainable cultural tourism be promoted? (see also the findings of the previous voices of culture dialogue on developing entrepreneurial and innovation potential). • sustainable communities. while there has been significant eu action to protect and safeguard cultural and natural heritage, particularly in the context of the 2018 european year and its follow-up, are there other areas of culture policy where the eu could/should do more? for example, what more could/should the eu do to promote the sustainability of cultural infrastructures in communities, in light of covid-19? • climate action. how should the eu support the cultural sector in strengthening resilience and adapting to climate change? • freedom of expression. what more should the eu do to protect artists at risk, and to promote freedom of expression and the right to culture in the european union and around the world?

Results achieved

The 47 selected organizations met twice (online), in december 2020 and february 2021. they produced a comprehensive, and very high quality, report on culture and sdgs, available here: https://voicesofculture.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/voc-brainstorming-report-culture-and-sdgs.pdf the report includes 6 references to the unesco 2005 convention, 10 recommendations, and chapters on - culture & education (sdg4) - culture & decent work, economic growth & employment (sdg 8) - culture & sustainable cities and communities (sdg 11) - culture as a transformational pathway for a just transition (sdg 13). this report was presented to the commission services (eac and other interested dgs), and to member state experts participating in the open method of coordination working group (described separately).