Culture as a driver of sustainable development
Since its launch in 2021, ICESCO Creative, a project of ICESCO’s Sector of Culture, has used digital platforms to connect cultural actors, promote creative initiatives, and facilitate access to knowledge.
As part of ICESCO’s broader vision, ICESCO Roads for the Future, the platform supports the circulation of ideas, the visibility of cultural expressions, and the development of international cultural networks.
Through its articles, publications, cultural projects, and opportunities for exchange, ICESCO Creative contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out in the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
Our contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
Explore the SDGs most closely connected to ICESCO Creative’s mission and activities.
Promoting access to knowledge and lifelong learning.
Free access to articles, publications, and cultural resources encourages knowledge-sharing, independent learning, and intellectual development. Relevant to Target 4.3 and, more broadly, access to learning.
Promoting gender equality and amplifying women's voices in culture.
By showcasing diverse cultural perspectives and supporting the visibility of women creators, researchers, and cultural professionals, ICESCO Creative can help promote equal opportunities and participation in cultural life.
Expanding access to knowledge and cultural visibility.
Making content freely available and amplifying voices from different countries can help reduce barriers to accessing knowledge and gaining cultural visibility.
Promoting cultural heritage and diversity.
Articles and publications on heritage, archaeology, literature, and cultural expressions help raise awareness of and promote cultural heritage. This is directly relevant to Target 11.4, which focuses on protecting and safeguarding the world's cultural and natural heritage.
Connecting communities and fostering international cooperation.
By bringing together cultural professionals, researchers, creators, and audiences from different countries, ICESCO Creative encourages dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of knowledge.
Supporting cultural entrepreneurship and the creative economy.
The platform promotes cultural entrepreneurship and the visibility of creative initiatives. It can contribute to the development of cultural and creative industries and expand professional opportunities for young people. Relevant to Target 8.3.
A shared vision for the future
Culture is a vital pillar of sustainable development. Since 2023, ICESCO, through its Sector of Culture, has been working on a proposal to the United Nations for the establishment of an 18th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) dedicated to culture, advocating for the recognition of culture as a fundamental driver of sustainable development worldwide.
In line with this vision, ICESCO Creative contributes to raising awareness of the role of culture by facilitating access to knowledge, promoting creative initiatives, safeguarding cultural heritage, and encouraging intercultural dialogue. Through its digital platform, ICESCO Creative supports ICESCO’s broader efforts to strengthen the place of culture in the global sustainable development agenda.
By connecting cultural actors, sharing knowledge, and promoting creative expression, ICESCO Creative reaffirms its commitment to making culture a catalyst for cooperation, innovation, and a more inclusive and sustainable future.