Since the introduction of Agenda 21 for Culture at the United Nations General Assembly, countries worldwide have increasingly acknowledged culture’s vital role in sustainable national development across various dimensions, including tourism, creative industries, urban development, cultural learning resources, and community product development. The integration of culture into the 2030 Agenda further emphasizes its significance as a driver and enabler of sustainable development.
Agenda 21 for Culture is now actively promoted by the World Organization of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the largest global organization dedicated to harnessing culture for sustainable economic development. Established in 2004 and headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, UCLG boasts a membership of over 240,000 entities, including individuals, city representatives, and cities of varying sizes across 140 countries.
Thailand’s neighboring countries, such as China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia, are also UCLG members, each striving to highlight the role of culture in sustainable urban and regional development aligned with the SDGs.
Thailand’s Cultural Ambition
Thailand’s national policy emphasizes leveraging knowledge and intellectual assets, in conjunction with cultural foundations and modern technology, or Soft Power, as a means to enhance the creative economy’s value. It is imperative for Thailand to showcase its cultural potential in sustainable development on the global stage.
Join us in positioning Thailand as a leader in the Culture 21 movement, developing cities with cultural dimensions and driving economic sustainability.
The “Thailand Culture 21 Best Practice” project is spearheaded by Silpakorn University’s Office of Academic Services and the Roaming Elephants platform, in collaboration with UCLG. Supported by the Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture, this project aims to develop a prototype cultural learning resource, in line with Culture 21 guidelines, to compete for the prestigious UCLG – Culture 21 International Award. This award honors cities and individuals who excel in promoting culture as a pillar of sustainable local development.
The UCLG – Mexico City – Culture 21 International Award
This award recognizes cultural projects and policies that significantly impact sustainable development. It celebrates excellence, promotes knowledge sharing, and fosters collaborative networks among cities and organizations worldwide.
Award Categories:
- Winner: Highest recognition for the most outstanding practice or project.
- Special Mention: Acknowledges valuable and noteworthy projects or policies.
- Shortlisted Entries: Recognizes high-quality entries before the Grand Prize decision.
Benefits of Winning:
- International recognition
- Networking and collaboration opportunities
- Publicity and enhanced public relations
- Financial and resource support
- Confidence and morale boosting
- Learning and improvement
Winning this award not only acknowledges past successes but also opens doors to future collaborations and opportunities.
Thailand’s First Step in Global Sustainable Cultural Development
Project Activities:
- Study the guidelines of Agenda 21 for Culture and UCLG.
- Develop prototype tools, structures, and data collection methods for cities/areas, aligning with international standards.
- Showcase Thailand’s potential in sustainable development through Culture 21.
- Train personnel and cultural partners in Thailand on the Agenda 21 for Culture framework.
- Establish and connect networks for sustainable economic development through culture.
- Promote prototype cities/areas and partner initiatives.
Target Groups & Networks:
- National network of cities/areas and cultural learning resources
- Government agencies, private sector, and educational institutions
Project Goals:
- Position Thailand on the global stage as a member of UCLG, showcasing the nation’s cultural potential in sustainable development.
- Produce tangible outcomes that align with government policies, utilizing cultural foundations and modern technology to drive the creative economy.
- Support job creation, career opportunities, and income generation through sustainable cultural development.
International Collaboration
A key objective of the project is to foster cooperation with UCLG and other international cultural organizations. This collaboration will facilitate knowledge exchange, technical support, and funding for the ongoing conservation of Thai cultural heritage. The UCLG network will provide access to global best practices, encouraging Thai representatives to present their work on international platforms and learn from global experiences.
Organized By:
- Silpakorn University
- Roaming Elephants platform
Supported By:
- Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture
- The World Organization of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
Project Team:
- Sarayut Saenmee – Project Director
- Teewin Narunart – Project Manager
- Prof. Dr. Jutamas Wisansing– Project Leader
- Sirinpa Wongsaroj – Public Relations Coordinator
- Jakkrapong Chinkrathok – Project Coordinator
