Skopje, 13 December 2021 (MIA) – We’re all aware of the true power that culture, art, and cultural heritage holds over preserving human memory and restoring human dignity and pride. We also know that cultural policies over the centuries could shape historical narratives that capture national mythology and embody the country’s identity. However, today’s rapidly changing world seriously challenges the concepts of cultural politics of the 20^th century, said Minister of Culture Irena Stefoska in her address at the online regional consultations of UNESCO for Europe and North America’s cultural policies, held on Monday.

During her remarks titled “Investing in culture and creativity to create jobs and socioeconomic development”, Stefoska emphasized that people must do our best to change the false perception of culture as an expense or a luxury, and instead present it as an important strategic investment that society benefits from.

She added that 2021 was declared the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development at the 74^th General Assembly of the UN.

“The Covid pandemic largely paralyzed the creative economy, unfortunately,” Stefoska said.

Nina Obuljen Koržinek, Minister of Culture and Media of Croatia, presided over the event. Ernesto Ottone, assistant to the general director of UNESCO for culture, also spoke at the event.

The participants also discussed topics related to promoting cultural diversity in a digital environment and strengthening the artists’ status: protection and promotion of the cultural heritage for social inclusion, dialogue and peace, strengthening the synergies between culture and education focused on human development and sustainability, and a regional and global partnership for culture and sustainable development.

The regional consultations are a preparation process before UNESCO’s world conference for cultural policies and sustainable development called Mondiacult 2022, which UNESCO, partnered with Mexico’s government, aims to organize on September 28-30, 2022. dk/ba/