Santos will host a UNESCO world event on the creative economy this month

From the 18th to the 22nd, Santos will host the 14th Annual Conference of the Unesco Creative Cities Network, a global hub for exchanging experiences and information on culture, creativity and the creative economy in the urban context.

The Municipality is the first in Latin America to host the event, which will bring together representatives from cities around the world to share successful policies, good practices and reflections on the future. Among the participating cities are Quebec (Canada), Istanbul (Turkey), Jakarta (Indonesia), Dakar (Senegal), Seoul (South Korea), Milan (Italy), Bristol (England) and Guadalajara (Mexico), among others.

The group of speakers includes representatives of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), of the member cities of the Creative Cities Network and the director of the Cultural and Educational Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Paula Alves de Souza. between others. Faced with the challenges imposed by the 21st century, culture and the creative economy, in particular, represent an important opportunity for the transformation of society, especially in urban centers, which are expected to concentrate 68% of the world population by the year 2050, according to recent studies.

Based on an extensive program, the 14th Annual Conference of the Unesco Creative Cities Network will highlight the role of culture and creativity as a driving force for building more inclusive and egalitarian communities, in line with the global premises established by the Organization.

“This unique and dynamic network of cities is a powerful platform for sharing innovative initiatives. In an increasingly urbanized world, member cities have successfully used culture and creativity to improve the daily lives of their citizens”, comments Ernestto Ottone R., Assistant Director-General for Culture at UNESCO.

Creativity, Path to Equality

The event's theme, 'Creativity, Pathway to Equality', will serve as a guiding thread for the conference. From there, member cities will collectively reflect on shared opportunities to implement sustainable development strategies and initiatives in line with UNESCO's priority areas.

The focus of the six Transversal Sessions scheduled for the meeting is: Africa and Sids (Small Island Developing States); Gender Equality, Youth and Marginalized Groups; Climate Resilience; International cooperation; Innovation and Technology; Post-Pandemic Recovery.

A first-of-its-kind publication entitled “Unesco’s Creative Cities Response to Covid-19: From Immediate Action to Long-Term Recovery”, which brings together practical urban solutions from around 90 member cities in more than 40 countries, will also be launched during the event. Conference.

Santos, Creative City of Audiovisual

Santos joined UNESCO's Creative Cities Network in 2015 and is now the first city in Latin America - and the first among the member cities of the audiovisual segment - chosen to host the Annual Conference. During the event, participants will be able to learn about the results provided by the creative economy in the city of the coast of São Paulo, scene of numerous audiovisual productions and one of the national exponents of the film industry.

"The Unesco Creative Cities Network Annual Conference is a great opportunity to share experiences. We can show the world what we have developed in Santos and learn from the creative initiatives put into practice across the planet. This cultural exchange is fundamental for us to achieve sustainability and social and human development", highlights Mayor Rogério Santos.

Considering the successful experience of the Vilas Criativas project in Santos, the Conference will also debate social inequality. Participating mayors will share their experiences and best practices on how creative cultural industries have been leveraged in municipalities. Promoting the revitalization of urban areas is another theme planned during the meeting.

Expo Creative Cities and Artistic-Cultural Programming

In addition to the Conference, reserved for authorities and previously registered participants, between the 18th and 22nd of July (Monday to Friday) the Brazilian Creative Cities Expo will also take place, open to the general public.

The proposal is to welcome cities and people interested in knowing the Unesco Creative Cities Network and promoting the exchange of experiences and learning in the creative economy segment. The Brazilian Creative Cities Expo will bring together professionals and institutions of different interests, such as the Brazilian Support Service for Micro and Small Enterprises (Sebrae), the University of São Paulo (USP), among others.

Among the topics to be addressed by the Expo are the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the importance of environmental, social and corporate governance, topics encompassed by the acronym ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and prominent startups in the film production market.

Between the 21st and 24th of July (Thursday to Sunday), in the City Center, the City Hall of Santos carries out an extensive artistic-cultural program, free and open to the public, focused on the seven creative segments of the network: audiovisual , music, media arts, literature, crafts, design and gastronomy.

The 14th Annual Conference of the Unesco Creative Cities Network is held by Unesco, in collaboration with the host city Santos and with the support of the Santos Convention & Visitors Bureau. The Cultural program of the Historic Center and Expo Brazilian Creative Cities is sponsored by DP World Santos, Terracom and Gelog and supported by the Government of the State of São Paulo, Sebrae-SP, Blue Med Convention Center/GL Events.

SERVICE

14th Annual Conference of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network Access restricted to authorities and previously registered participants

From the 18th to the 22nd of July, from Monday to Friday

Location: Blue Med Convention Center – Praça Almirante Gago Coutinho, 29, Ponta da Praia, Santos-SP

EXPO Brazilian Creative Cities

open to the public

From the 18th to the 22nd of July, from Monday to Friday

Location: Blue Med Convention Center – Praça Almirante Gago Coutinho, 29, Ponta da Praia, Santos-SP

Artistic-Cultural Programming in the Historic Center of Santos Cinema, music, literature, crafts, design and gastronomy

Free event open to the public

From the 21st to the 24th of July, from Thursday to Sunday

Locations: Teatro Guarany, Pelé Museum, Arcos do Valongo, Casa da Frontaria Azulejada and Praça Mauá.

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