THE UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has released a new report spotlighting the power of culture as a strategic asset for creating cities that are more inclusive, creative and sustainable. Culture: Urban Future Report makes the case that culture needs to be fully integrated into urban strategies to ensure their sustainability, as well as a better quality of life for residents. “With over half of the world’s population now living in urban areas, the road to sustainable development passes through cities in every corner of the globe,” Irina Bokova, the Director-General of UNESCO, says in the executive summary. “Cities bring creative and productive people together, helping them to do what they do best: exchange, create and innovate.”
The ground-breaking report brings together two years of research, showcasing analyses and recommendations to foster the role of culture in sustainable development. Goal 11 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Download the report here.
The Cultural Industries in Kazakhstan: Models, Challenges, And Strategies summarizes the debates and conversations with a cross section of cultural and creative sector players and entrepreneurs, as well as city developers. It also addresses potential future actions to be explored in support of the cultural industries in Kazakhstan. With no large, established cultural industries firms and no sizeable manufacturers (for design and fashion) the industry very much revolves around small businesses and individual enterprises. Young creative entrepreneurs are the most active leaders of a new urban generation. Cultural industries are the means of their existence. The report is prepared by Christiaan De Beukelaer (University of Melbourne) and Galina Koretskaya (Head of Arts, British Council Kazakhstan). Download it here.
