Culture and public policy for sustainable development

Unlocking the transformative potential of culture for sustainable development is our common ambition and this process is already underway. Culture is firmly anchored in the 2030 Agenda for SustainableDevelopment, and Member States themselves are giving it an increasingly important place in the international development programmes, in the fields of education, economic development, development and social inclusion. Over the past twenty years, UNESCO’s Cultural Conventions and programmes have adapted their approaches and instruments to enhance their impact on sustainable development, resulting in new tools to support Member States in their cultural policies. A variety of actors and networks have contributed to enriching and reinforcing cultural policies. Cities, as levers of innovation, have become important actors in harnessing culture to revitalize public spaces, support education for sustainable development, nurture intercultural dialogue and facilitate the integration of vulnerable populations. The increasing involvement of civil society in sustainable development also lays the foundation for more inclusive policies.