Thematic Round Tables and Parallel Sessions
The key questions that were raised
were UCLG’s vision on culture and sustainable development, illustrated with specific examples.
of cities so that good practices can circulate; (b) advocating for culture as key dimension/pillar of sustainability; (c) advocacy for the Post-2015 Development Agenda so that culture has a stand-alone Goal (#Culture2015Goal) with emphasis on local governments. She mentioned the Award on Agenda 21 for Culture that was launched that evening by the City of Mexico. Mr Phinit Chathalangsy from the UNESCO office in Rabat delivered a message from ADG Francesco Bandarin. The message noted the importance of Agenda 21 for Culture, approved by UCLG in 2004, and praised the leadership of cities in the implementation of the relationship between culture and sustainability. He affirmed that culture cannot be absent in the Post-2015 Development Agenda. He
said that the Hangzhou congress (May 2013) finished with a bold declaration and it is our duty to act now, to advocate now and asked UCLG to continue being very active in this endeavour. The Mayor of Brazzaville, represented by Benjamin-Alphonse Loukakou, Councillor and Director for Communication, explained that the relationship between culture and sustainability was crucial because citizens have the right and the duty to play with local identity and globalisation, and cities are the places in which public policies with this aim can be successful. He mentioned Brazzaville was involved in UCLG-Africa for an African Creative Cities programme. Ms Christine Merkel explained the long wave of culture in
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