MONDIACULT, World Conference on Cultural Policies

hub asean
May 16
2 min read

Historical Context and Evolution

UNESCO inaugurated the MONDIACULT series with the groundbreaking 1982 Mexico City Conference, which fundamentally redefined culture as an integral component of development processes rather than a peripheral consideration. The 2022 MONDIACULT Conference commemorated the 40th anniversary of this landmark event by convening Ministers of Culture and stakeholders from 150 countries to address pressing contemporary challenges in cultural policy formulation and implementation.

Key Outcomes of MONDIACULT 2022

The UNESCO MONDIACULT 2022 Declaration, unanimously adopted by participating Member States, established several priority areas that demand immediate and sustained attention:

Culture must be recognized as a "global public good" that necessitates prominent inclusion in international public policy agendas and governance frameworks.
Cultural dimensions require systematic integration into sustainable development frameworks and implementation strategies at all levels.
Cultural rights in rapidly evolving digital environments require robust protection mechanisms and supportive policy frameworks.
Cultural and creative industries urgently need tailored support mechanisms to ensure resilient post-pandemic recovery and sustainable growth trajectories.
Cultural policies must adapt to address intensifying climate change challenges through innovative approaches and cross-sectoral collaboration.

Regional Implications for ASEAN and APEC

The comprehensive MONDIACULT framework presents significant alignment opportunities with existing regional cultural cooperation initiatives:

Cultural Policy Harmonization: The MONDIACULT Declaration provides a sophisticated common reference point for ASEAN's cultural cooperation frameworks, complementing and enhancing the ASEAN Strategic Plan for Culture and Arts 2016-2025 through its global perspective.
Creative Economy Development: The Declaration's substantive emphasis on creative industries aligns strategically with APEC's intensified focus on promoting creative economies as powerful drivers for sustainable and inclusive growth across diverse economic contexts.
Digital Transformation: MONDIACULT's nuanced approach to cultural rights in digital environments complements ASEAN's Digital Masterplan 2025 and provides comprehensive guidance for cultural digitalization initiatives throughout the region.

Implementation Mechanisms

UNESCO has established several structured implementation pathways following MONDIACULT 2022:

Creation of a comprehensive global observatory on the Status of the Artist to monitor conditions and inform policy development.
Development of a rigorous standard-setting instrument on open science to ensure equitable access to knowledge.
Establishment of a detailed roadmap for the digital creative economy that addresses both opportunities and challenges.
Integration of culture in climate action through the innovative UNESCO-IPCC co-sponsored Climate-Culture Nexus initiative that bridges scientific and cultural approaches.