Post-2015 Dialogues on Culture and Development

Abstract

The elaboration of the Post-2015 Development Agenda has been a unique intergovernmental policy process informed by a comprehensive global consultation, reaching large numbers of individuals and policymakers, academics, experts, the private sector and interested citizens. The United Nations Development Group (UNDG) and many UN Country Teams around the world have guided this unprecedented effort, which has already influenced key reports that have contributed to the shaping of the Post-2015 Development Agenda. While it made sense in the first phase to focus the consultations on the potential issues and areas to be included in a Post-2015 Agenda, questions about ‘means of implementation’ have surfaced throughout the process and are becoming increasingly central to the debate. Member States are looking for pragmatic proposals about how to make the Agenda work and how to ensure its sustainability. Upon the request of the UN Member States at the 68th session of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General has asked the UN System to build on the outcomes of the consultations already conducted in order to keep informing the elaboration process of the post-2015 development agenda. UNDG therefore launched a second phase of national consultations on six themes, including “Culture and Development”, held throughout 2014. UNESCO, UNFPA and UNDP were designated as the co lead UN agencies for “Culture and Development” at both global and country levels and the following countries have been selected to lead national consultations: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, Mali, Morocco and Serbia. Through both national and global consultations, discussions were organized on how exactly culture can contribute to achieving sustainable and equitable development for all, particularly within the framework of six sub-themes: (1) culture and poverty reduction, (2) culture and education, (3) culture, gender equality and women’s empowerment, (4) culture, sustainable cities and urbanization, (5) culture, environment and climate change, and (6) culture, inclusion and reconciliation. In order to hear as many voices as possible, national consultations were conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, Mali, Morocco and Serbia. These were further expanded by a global consultation led through an international call for papers and a series of e-discussions, which jointly received 211 contributions from a variety of actors, from high schools and NGOs to universities, experts, local authorities, international organizations and the private sector. In addition, a number of events were organized throughout 2014, including a final event that took place within the framework of an international forum that brought together over 400 participants in Florence (Italy) from 2 to 4 October 2014. The present report presents the findings of these national and global consultations – altogether called the “Post-2015 Dialogues on Culture and Development”