Strengthening of interdepartmental cooperation – contribution of culture to sustainable development

In the context of the implementation of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (Article 13), it is necessary to mention the fact that in 2010 the Ministry of Education and Culture of Republika Srpska initiated the appointment of the Interdepartmental Group for Culture of Republika Srpska, composed of representatives of the following institutions: Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economic Relations and Regional Cooperation, Ministry of Trade and Tourism, Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Ministry of Administration and Local Self-Government, RS Institute for Protection of Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage, Ministry of Family, Youth and Sport, Ministry of Labour and Protection of War Veterans and Disabled Veterans, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ministry of Justice, Chamber of Commerce, and Tax Administration. The objective of the Interdepartmental Group for Culture is not only to integrate culture and cultural heritage in cohesion policies and various development strategies of Republika Srpska, and to implement specific measures aimed at integration of culture in the relevant areas, but also to integrate the policies and strategies of other ministries in the policy and the strategy of cultural development of Republika Srpska. In the reporting period, interdepartmental cooperation had a major role and importance in developing several important policies: RS Tourism Development Strategy 2010-2020, Youth Policy 2016-2020, Education Strategy 2016-2021, while the RS Local Self-Government Development Strategy 2017-2021 is in the adoption procedure, where the ministry stressed the importance and contribution of culture to the economic development of local communities, and thereby of Republika Srpska in general. In addition to that, during the process of working on the Cultural Development Strategy 2017-2021, interdepartmental cooperation proved to be an effective instrument in terms of defining the policy.