To the ULGCA
6.3.15 Professionals from the world of arts and culture (SH-18)
Culture and the creative industries are one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world today. In addition, culture is crucial to fostering of change, identity, social cohesion and the wellbeing of citizens. Furthermore, in relation to local government, arts and culture is important not only for tourism, but also for social cohesion and wider economic and cultural growth. Arts and culture can play a major role in promoting a culture of local pride, innovation, creativity and fostering ownership of local heritage and resources. This role has implications for tourism, foreign investment, etc.
Arts and culture can play a major role in building communities across different social strata and demographics, and in the wake of previous divisions (e.g. apartheid). These partnerships can help foster sustainable development as communities work together. The development and support of the arts in communities fosters a different mentality and culture of ownership, self-belief, innovation, etc., which have hugely positive impacts on the efficacy of development strategies and implementation. International partnerships can result in investment in the local region. Fostering and maintaining communal spaces, where artistic endeavours can have a home, promotes inclusivity, exchange, discourages delinquency, and presents opportunities for income generation (especially for the youth).
Given the role and potential of arts and culture, the following recommendations were made:
1. It is advised that Agenda 2063 itself falls short of fully recognizing the role and potential of culture, especially at the local level. Accordingly, it is recommended that:
a. An international Pan-African commission be formed to evaluate where culture can be further included in Agenda 2063, and that proposals for such revisions be presented for ratification by the African Union at its next AGM.
b. In order to ensure a multi-stakeholder process, the commission shall be constituted of regional, national, and local government representatives, as well as civil society actors, notably professionals of the arts and culture sector in Africa, experienced arts/cultural organizations, representatives of the African Union, academics and invited experts.
c. Its membership will ensure a geographical balance within the continent, and nominations will be renewed regularly in a transparent regulatory process.
d. The commission shall also be responsible for promoting the cultural aspects of the agenda and ensuring its objectives are met by 2063. It will also monitor the coherence between the Agenda 2063 principles and implementation, and other international agendas, conventions and resolutions in the field of culture, such as the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
2. It is advised that the role of arts and culture be strengthened in local municipalities in order to support the implementation of Agenda 2063’s vision. Accordingly, it is recommended that:
a. A commission be formed in each local government, with civil society and local government representatives, to agree and decide on a cultural strategy at the local level; construct holistic cultural policies; and design and implement programmes with the financial support of local authorities and private sector. The commission shall be accountable to the citizens, representatives must be voted for and the strategic plan must be proposed to the communities before being approved.
b. Local commissions shall pay special attention to ensuring that the cultural strategy developed contributes to the definition and promotion of pan-Africanism and the promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions; the development of the creative industries and contribution of arts and culture to social, human and economic development; and the strengthening of participatory democracy at the local level.
c. Local governments engage with the world through regional and international cooperation and facilitate professional and people-to-people exchanges in the fields of arts and culture in order to foster innovation, creativity, mutual understanding and peaceful societies.
3. It is advised that arts and culture be made fairly accessible to all African citizens, to meet with the Agenda 2063’s vision and enable its implications. Accordingly, it is recommended that:
a. All local governments develop cultural services, resources and infrastructures that are affordable (if not free) and easily accessible for everyone (special access for disabilities, public transport routes, etc.).
b. Priority be given to local policies and campaigns to promote cultural services and infrastructures, especially for the youth, vulnerable groups and communities that don’t know or don’t use the services. “The creativity, energy, and innovation of Africa’s youth, shall be the driving force behind the continent’s … cultural… transformation.” (Agenda 2063). For example: school trips, special days with discounts, advertising campaigns, etc.
c. Attention shall be given to linguistic diversity in order to ensure access to culture for all.
d. Consideration be given to the allocation of budgets and urban land where possible for building cultural infrastructures (libraries, theatres, museums, community cultural centres) and producing/
diffusing cultural events at the local level. Importantly, this includes an audit of existing infrastructures and strategic repurposing of underused facilities.
Recommendations For Mayors
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S et up a framework of democratic governance and dialogue, institutionally strong to coordinate all public policy actions on the basis of a long-term strategic vision for public services in line with the dynamics of urbanization and growth needs.•
Promote citizen participation in governance with professional public services, sufficiently integrated and shared for improving the quality of urban and civic life (quick and free issuance of identity cards).•
Promote consultation at all levels of their appearance with all the figures of national and local leadership, those in the Diaspora as well as national and local intellectual and academic resources.•
Value the people’ economy as a lever for employment, the fight against inequalities and social cohesion and popularizing microfinance institutions to the population by ensuring contact between the people and microfinance institutions.•
Rethink policy of arable land and their valuation as well as communal grazing rights; help farmers in particular emerging farmers - for access to vital resources such as water; encouraging youth engagement in agriculture by supporting their training and access to credit.•
Create within the UCLGA a working group of Afro-descendants Mayors in the Americas, the Caribbean and Europe.For Ministers
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Establish a consultation framework for the coordination of public policy actions with the local governments based a long-term strategic vision of public services.•
Enhance the transfer at the local level of a series of skills and resources from the central government in order to initiate policies of cross-territorial cooperation between central governments and foreign local governments; recognize the role of local authorities regarding their capacity of conflict resolution and peacebuilding.4 It is advised that African local governments make the best use of the resources available to support them in strengthening the role of arts and culture in their territories and in the Agenda 2063’s vision. Accordingly, it is also recommended that:
a. African local governments apply to the international programme Culture Agenda 21, coordinated by UCLG. For more details: http://www.agenda21.culture.net/
b. African municipalities apply to the international programme Creative Cities, coordinated by UNESCO. For more details: http://en.unesco.org/creative-cities/content/join-network
c. African local governments contact Arterial Network and Culture & Development, to learn from the programme for African Creative Cities and human settlements implemented in partnership with the above mentioned networks initiatives. For more details: HYPERLINK “http://www.
arterialnetwork.org” www.arterialnetwork.org; http://www.culture-developpement.asso.fr/