Sida (the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) has granted support to UNESCO for the period 2018-2021 for the implementation of a broad programme that includes efforts regarding the design and implementation of cultural policy initiatives, expert programmes and preparation of the global reports on cultural policy development in the world: Global Report - Reshaping Cultural Policies. The countries participating in the initiative are Algeria, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Columbia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mali, Mauritius, Mongolia, Palestine, Peru, Senegal, Uganda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
UNESCO and Sida describe the project as responding "to the expressed needs of Parties to the 2005 Convention seeking support to strengthen the human and institutional capacities of governmental and civil society actors in order to monitor and report on policies and measures that protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions. For this purpose, UNESCO provides specialized expertise in the organization of multi-stakeholder consultations including governmental and civil society actors; delivers trainings on data collection and analysis; supports inter-ministerial cooperation; and facilitates public debates on emerging topics such as gender equality in the culture sector, media diversity or artistic freedom."
Artistic freedom of expression has been raised and established as a concept on the global agenda and within the Human Rights ystem, as well as safety for cultural workers.
Support for the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression has contributed to increased focus on culture and development issues.
The normative policy development globally has been strengthened with the help of Global Reports and synergies with the communication and information sector eg through joint international events, such as World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), etc.
In 2020, an In Focus Report was released on the theme of artistic freedom of expression, which was launched during WPFD (World Press Freedom Day) 2020.
Since 2014, the program has included the following 22 countries; Algeria, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Colombia, Cuba, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Mongolia, Palestine, Peru, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Tunisia, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe.
The processes at a country level have contributed to policy development, standards and regulations in the cultural area, freedom of expression and access to information, with the aim of contributing to good corporate governance based on cultural diversity and fundamental freedoms and rights.
Through its dialogue, Sweden has contributed to strengthened synergies between UNESCO's different sections (culture, communication & information, education, research)
Sweden has also been working on the issue about gender equality in cooperation with UNESCO, which has led to the cultural program having a solid Gender Action Plan and analysis. This has also inspired other parts of UNESCO. In 2019, UNESCO reports that the cultural program has reached 42% women in national teams. A so-called In Focus Report on the theme of gender equality is expected soon.
Further dialogue has focused on the inclusion of civil society, which currently stands at 38% of national teams.
UNESCO has responded impressively to the Corona crisis by revising its programs and contributing to global discussion forums, such as a Digital Culture Ministerial Meeting 2020.
3 100 000 USD
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Public Sector
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Private Sector
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Civil Society Organization (CSO)
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Continue to work in all parts of the Convention, including artistic freedom, media diversity and gender equality
Develop the perspective of gender equality and integration.
Increase the involvement of women's and youth organizations. et al.
Extend the regional approach to the program
Maximize the use of the program's products for policy impact. This applies to Quadrennial Periodic Reports, Global Reports, Policy Monitoring Platform, educational materials etc
Consolidate the knowledge and capacity of the Convention in and between the various countries