Background
Within the framework of implementing the 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, UNESCO Abuja Office, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture (FMIC), organized a two-day workshop on the draft National Policy on Culture. The workshop supported Nigeria in updating and adopting the draft National Culture Policy.
Objectives
This programme has four objectives:
- To support the update and review of the National Policy on Culture for Nigeria;
- To support the expedited adoption and approval of the draft National Policy on Culture for Nigeria by the Federal Executive Council;
- To strengthen stakeholder support to the effective implementation of the National Policy on Culture for Nigeria when adopted and approved;
- To engage with the Government of Rivers State on the potential multisectoral partnership.
Delivery
The 1988 National Culture Policy has been under review since 2003. Lacking implementation of the policy made it difficult for the culture sector to utilize its potential to contribute to economic development. This programme sponsored by UNESCO Abuja Office provided a platform for the stakeholders to update the National Culture Policy and strategize on the effective mechanism to employ in order to ensure the speedy passage of the policy by the Government.
Among the carried-out activities were presentation and review of the updated draft National Policy on Culture, approval of strategies for the effective implementation of the policy, and adoption of the Communique on the Implementation of the draft National Policy on Culture.
This programme supported integrating culture into policies and measures in the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Achievements
This programme brought together 30 stakeholders from the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture along with its agencies and parastatals, NATCOM, and those from the Rivers State Government. It increased the awareness of various stakeholders on the draft National Policy on Culture and garnered their support towards policy implementation.
The adopted Communique on the effective implementation of the National Policy on Culture was shared with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture for further action. The communique was also transmitted to other critical stakeholders, such as ECOWAS, UNIDO, and UNDP. This programme is expected to expedite the speedy approval of the draft National Culture Policy by the Nigerian Government.