Upon a formal invitation from Mr. Eric Falt, the UNESCO Representative for the Maghreb, the coordinator of the Slemani UNESCO City of Literature Office participated via video conference in the Regional Meeting of Creative Cities from North Africa and the Middle East within Arab countries, held in Tetuan, Morocco, from November 19 to 21, 2024.
The meeting was organized by UNESCO’s Regional Office for the Maghreb in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco, the Agency for the Promotion and Economic and Social Development of the Provinces and Prefectures of the North (APDN), and the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO). Delegations from 21 Creative Cities representing diverse cultural clusters participated.
The event focused on integrating culture, arts, and literature as an independent objective within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also emphasized the role of cultural productivity in enhancing urban living, empowering youth, and boosting urban economies.
Discussions explored the activation of UNESCO platforms, the expansion of the Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in North Africa and the Middle East, and the promotion of inter-city collaborations. Particular attention was given to three key tools: the cultural value chain, the interplay among cities, creativity, and culture (CCC), and the ecological system of creativity and culture.
The Slemani office coordinator highlighted the city’s active engagement within the UCCN network, showcasing its cultural vibrancy, the contributions of local government, and the activities of its cultural institutions. He presented a proposal to optimize UNESCO’s platform by developing an online database. This database would serve as a comprehensive repository of cultural assets, enabling cultural mapping, increasing the visibility of participating cities, and facilitating the design of collaborative inter-city projects.
During the meeting, a representative of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) underscored the importance of integrating culture into local development strategies and incorporating cultural policies into Creative Cities. Additionally, a pilot project from Morocco, conducted in 2023, was showcased, illustrating the pivotal role of young creators in shaping the cultural landscape.
In alignment with this theme, the Slemani Office coordinator presented a roadmap titled “Digitizing the Role of Culture in Sustainable Development.” This roadmap outlined a foundational framework for embedding cultural policies into urban development strategies, structured around five pillars: the legacy of cultural expertise and know-how holders, the city’s cultural presence, youth engagement in cultural activities, community interaction with culture, and the relationship between local governments and culture. It also identified the types of data required and their sources to support sustainable cultural policies.
In conclusion, the meeting examined the resources, methodologies, and challenges associated with revitalizing cultural heritage as a catalyst for urban development, fostering innovation within the cultural sector, and building resilient, inclusive cities.
