30. 9. 2022
UP FHŠ dean attending the UNESCO Mondiacult Conference in Mexico: »Culture as a common good must be accessible to all«
UNESCO Chair of Interpretation and Education for Enhancing Integrated Heritage Approaches, established at the University of Primorska in January 2022, is represented at The UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2022 in Mexico City.
From 28th to 30th September, the Government of Mexico is hosting a three-day international conference on cultural policies and sustainable development that brings together representatives from 161 countries, all UNESCO members. With 120 ministers participating, including Slovenia's Minister of Culture, dr. Asta Vrečko, the conference features a high level of international participation. The Slovenian delegation is notably represented also by the Faculty of Humanities (UP FHŠ) Dean, dr. Irena Lazar, who represents the only chair dedicated to cultural heritage, interpretation, and education.
Aside from adapting cultural sectors to climate change and recognizing their importance for social and economic development, the conference is also focusing on cultural heritage, its interpretation, and education to ensure its accessibility to all also for future generations. Furthermore, warnings about threatened heritage in Ukraine and other war-torn countries were unavoidable. A conference venue in Mexico was chosen due to its rich and diverse cultural heritage and the artistic vibe of contemporary artists who enrich the country's cultural life today.
Dr. Irena Lazar, highlighted: »The conference addressed and raised a number of issues on culture and cultural policies as well as the importance of integrating cultural heritage into education curricula at all levels, including in the process of lifelong learning. This is particularly important for our UNESCO Chair and UP FHŠ, as those are our focuses as well. Culture as a common good must be accessible to all, and the local community must be involved. By doing so we are respecting culture and heritage. And it is Mexico’s respect for history and cultural heritage that has impressed me the most.«
As a result of the conference, participants will adopt a new cultural policy agenda, which will be formulated over the course of the event. This agenda will focus on developing a stronger and more resilient cultural sector that is fully anchored in sustainable development, peace, and security perspectives.
Photo: UP FHŠ Dean, dr. Irena Lazar, with dr. Asta Vrečko, Minister of Culture of RS, in between are Špela Spanzel (Head of the Cultural Heritage Directorate of RS) and the PR.