Agenda 21 for culture: a tool for cultural development in cities The Agenda 21 for culture is the first document with worldwide mission that advocates establishing the groundwork of an undertaking by cities and local governments for cultural development.
The Agenda 21 for culture was agreed by cities and local governments from all over the world to enshrine their commitment to human rights, cultural diversity, sustainability, participatory democracy and creating conditions for peace. It was approved by the 4th Forum of Local Authorities for Social Inclusion of Porto Alegre, held in Barcelona on 8 May 2004 as part of the first Universal Forum of Cultures.
UCLG's Working Group on Culture United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) adopted the Agenda 21 for culture as a reference document for its programmes on culture and assumed the role of coordinator of the process subsequent to its approval. UCLG’s Working Group on Culture is the meeting point for cities, local governments and networks that place culture at the heart of their development processes.
A growing number of cities and local governments the world over have adhered to the Agenda 21 for culture in their local councils. The process has raised the interest of international organisations, national governments and civil society.
Local government and the United Nations: working together to promote culture UNESCO and United Cities and Local Governments have expressed interest in signing a cooperation agreement to formalise their dialogue and exchanges. The Cooperation Agreement will enable relations between UNESCO and local governments to expand into different domains, from the improvement of local democracy and strengthening of urban governance to environmental protection and the information society, as well as the struggle for peace, the right to a city, the fight against discrimination and the protection of cultural diversity.
This Cooperation Agreement aims to ensure coordination between the initiatives of UNESCO and those of the members of UCLG, with the objective of strengthening the role of local governments in global programmes in the urban and cultural spheres.
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