Photo: globetrottertravel
PANA
New York, US- Brazzaville, the capital and largest city of the Republic of Congo, has become the first city to be designed by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a member of its network of “creative hubs” promoting socio-economic and cultural development worldwide through creative industries.
Other cities that were designated alongside Brazzaville are Zahle (Lebanon), Krakow (Poland) and Fabriano (Italy).
Brazzaville was designated “City of Music” within the Creative Cities Network, which was launched by UNESCO in 2004 to develop international cooperation among cities that have recognised creativity as a driver for sustainable development.
UNESCO also listed Zahle, Krakow and Fabriano to join the Network in the categories of Gastronomy, Literature, Crafts and Folks Arts, respectively.
PANA quoted the Paris-based UNESCO as saying in a statement that in implementing local
initiatives, policies and strategies, Brazzaville, Zahle, Krakow and Fabriano ”have all tapped into creativity as a source of enrichment for the contemporary urban landscape and the daily life of citizens.
“As new members of the Network, the cities commit to strengthening participation in cultural life through fostering access to the creation and enjoyment of cultural activities, goods and services, promoting creativity and creative expressions, and integrating cultural and creative industries into local development.”
It disclosed that the Network, organised around seven categories reflecting different dimensions of cultural life, serves to facilitate the exchange of experience, knowledge and resources among its member cities as a means to promote the development of local creative industries.
The Network also foster worldwide cooperation in the cultural and creative sector, all for sustainable development.
With the latest additions, the Network now comprises 38 cities from all regions of the world, while more cities are expected to be designated before the end of the year.
Announcement of the new designees came on the second day of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Summit, being held in Beijing, China.
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