Support creativity & the diversity of cultural expressions around the world - Richard Curtis, Advocate for UN Global Goals

As world leaders take part in the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),  UNESCO’s 2005 Convention on the Protection and the Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions continues to play a key role in sustainable development policies around the world. 

Creativity and a diversity of cultural expressions have the power to drive long-term development in countries in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2005 Convention promotes human rights and fundamental freedoms to ensure the diversity of cultural expressions and a balanced flow in the trading of cultural goods and services, such as film, music, books and contemporary art, between the developed and the developing world. These industries create millions of jobs and much needed income for women and youth in particular – empowering women and young people with better opportunities, while transforming societies by hitting the targets in several of the 17 SDGs (4, 5, 8,10,11,16, 17) set under the 2030 Agenda.

''Culture is at the heart of sustainable development and is also key for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. As a filmmaker I know that film has the power to give societies a sense of what needs to be done and can bring about positive changes. That is why countries need to make sure that they fulfil their promises when they sign up to the 2005 Convention,'' said Richard Curtis, Advocate for the UN Global Goals and internationally acclaimed film maker and the founder of Project Everyone.

''Music, books, films are sources of millions in revenue every year - so in themselves, are a very useful and important business. But more importantly, they cross borders, bring people together, seek out problems and search for solutions.  If we support creativity we can fuel the development of communities around the world,'' he added.

Women are still poorly represented in decision-making positions in the creative industries and the 2005 Convention calls for policies and measures to promote gender equality to ensure women, as creators and producers, have an equal stake in this sector in line with the Global Goals.

Join Project Everyone’s movement to influence the new development agenda using the #WhatIReallyReallyWant hashtag.  And share a photo of yourself holding up what YOU really, really want for girls and women in relation to the Global Goals. The results of the campaign will be shared with world leaders at the UN General Assembly in September to help influence development policies.

Follow the 2005 Convention on Twitter: #supportcreativity &  #GlobalGoals & #WhatIReallyReallyWant

Read More: RE|SHAPING CULTURAL POLICIES