Culture in the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda: A Report by the Culture 2030 Goal Campaign
3.1 SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS IN THE ANALYSIS OF VNRS AND VLRS As the one crucial arena to track implementation of the 2030 Agenda identified as the focus of analysis in this report, the reporting mechanism for the HLPF has important messages and potential for improvement to take better account of culture. Our observations relate to both encouraging trends and challenges: On the positive side, we observe a great range and diversity of references to culture identified throughout the VNR texts, in all sections, stages and levels of policy. Some of these provide an example for others to follow. Culture is both referenced at the highest, most conceptual level, as fundamental values and vectors of sustainability, as well as in detailed programmes with dedicated cultural policy sectors or part of other sectors. The types of reference to culture fall into a few categories, including generic, non-action references; culture as an end in itself; culture as an enabler of other ends (cultural industries and jobs, promoting wellbeing, promoting tolerance); engagement of culture ministries/ agencies in consultation, coordination and executive mechanisms; and innovative practices (e.g. having a clear section on culture policy and programmes, or focusing on cultural indicators). Some of the most prominent themes or entry points for culture are observed to include: culture at the top of the VNR vision (e.g. the title or as a Goal), culture as a strategic element of the national vision; culture as a fundamental value related to citizens’ quality of life and social cohesion; culture as an elements of a country’s strength, identity and enabler that makes the country attractive and livable; culture as a vehicle for fostering peace, in conjunction with education for a culture of peace; culture as an element of the creativity, innovativeness and productivity of a country; culture being leveraged as a policy enabling/ accelerating tool; the cultural dimension cited alongside social, economic dimensions of sustainability; culture as an enabler of the Pillars of People and Planet; focused themes such as cultural diversity and cultural heritage; close link between natural and cultural resources (e.g. in context of traditional agriculture); indigenous rights, in context of land; culture as a part of education policies; culture being often linked to cities and urban policy; culture as a dimension of empowering vulnerable groups such as women and youth; right to access to cultural services; cultural property crimes; culture in context of resilience; and efforts and challenges in quantifying progress in culture. In terms of Goals and Targets, it is interesting to observe that a few SDGs are the focus of attention in relating culture with sustainable development, which also reflect the text of the 2030 Agenda: SDG4 (Education), SDG11 (Cities and Human Settlements) and SDG16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) are the most closely cited, while SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production) are also relatively common. For other Goals, the narratives of VNR reports either implicitly suggest or effectively miss the connections with culture. In all of these Goals, there is evidence of the involvement of cultural actors in the elaboration, implementation and evaluation of cultural actions in policies and programmes
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