About the Prize
About the Prize
The creative economy is a reflection of the remarkable innovation and creativity inherent in the world鈥檚 most remarkable natural resource: its people. Every society, culture and country have an abundance of this resource. However, it would be critical to stimulate, release, train and empower people鈥檚 creativity, to see it flourish and prosper.
UNESCO recognizes the role of the creative economy in creating full and productive employment and decent work, supporting entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, encouraging the formalization and growth of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises, stimulating innovation, empowering people, promoting social inclusion, and reducing poverty.
Before the COVID-19 crisis hit the sector hard, the cultural and creative industries generated annual global revenues of US$2,250 billion and employed more young people than any other sector. The People鈥檚 Republic of Bangladesh recognises both the importance and potential of the creative economy as a tool for social, cultural and economic development and commits to contribute to its development.
at the 210th Session of the Executive Board of UNESCO in December 2020, UNESCO-Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International Prize for the Creative Economy has been created to recognise and reward exceptional initiatives of an individual, institution, an entity or non-governmental organization which/who, devised and delivered innovative projects or programmes that promote youth entrepreneurship in the creative economy.
and creates a framework within which international 鈥渢rade鈥 in creative and cultural goods and services can thrive, in ways which are sustainable 鈥 environmentally, culturally, creatively, and economically 鈥 and equitable.
History
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: The Visionary Leader
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bengali of all time, was a visionary statesman, patron of education, art, culture, science and technology, an ardent advocate of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
After the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, he became the first President as well as the first Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. As the premium architect of nation, he is recognized as the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh. He was fondly given the title of 鈥楤angabandhu鈥 by his people which means friend of Bengal.
Bangabandhu has left a strong and indelible impression on the cultural landscape of Bangladesh. Bangabandhu鈥檚 contribution in protecting and promoting the Bengali heritage is manifested in many of his actions including in the establishment of Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts on 19 February 1974, a centre of excellence in all areas of culture. Through this set-up in all the districts of Bangladesh institutionalized the activities of cultural practitioners which strongly link with creative economy. Again, his setting up of Bangladesh Folk Art and Crafts Foundation on 12 March 1975 for the safeguarding of folk art and crafts heritage truly corresponds with the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a fervent advocate of peace and non-violence and he had true conviction in resolving disputes through amicable diplomatic negotiation and meaningful engagement and dialogue.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a symbol of World Peace. Being a leader of a war-ravaged country, he declared that Bangladesh would pursue peace not only for herself; she will contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security. In a sense, he represented not only Bangladesh, but each and every member of humanity who seeks the path of peace and harmony.
To recognize Bangabandhu鈥檚 contribution in the fields of UNESCO鈥檚 competence, in 2017, the historic 7th March Speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was inscribed in the Memory of the World International Register as a documentary heritage. Moreover, UNESCO got associated with the Birth Centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman through the inscription in Anniversary Programme in 2019. In 2020, on the very year of Bangabandhu鈥檚 100th Birth Anniversary, UNESCO established 鈥淯NESCO- Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International Prize for the Creative Economy鈥.
