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Commonwealth Statement on Culture and Development
The aim of the Commonwealth Statement on Culture and Development is to highlight the importance of the multiple connections between culture and development, and the added value that can be achieved by taking greater consideration of culture in development. By raising awareness amongst Commonwealth Governments, donors, civil society and wider audiences of the close connections between culture, creativity and successful development, the aim is to encourage more sustainable development methods and practices, and enhance culture’s contribution to economic and social development and conflict prevention.
This Statement has been prepared by the Commonwealth Group on Culture and Development. The Group was established in early 2009 by the Commonwealth Foundation, following calls from civil society at the 2007 Commonwealth People’s Forum to take the role of culture in development more seriously. It has sought to take forward the recommendations of the Foundation’s 2008 report, Putting Culture First, which called for a series of activities to better support and recognise the connections between culture and development. It seeks to win greater commitment to and action on work that integrates culture with development.
The Commonwealth Group on Culture and Development is urging Commonwealth Heads of Government to endorse its findings at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Trinidad and Tobago, November 2009. It asks that Heads of Government, in the Port of Spain Communiqué, take note of this Statement, recognise the connections between culture and development that it outlines, and mandate Commonwealth agencies and networks to take forward its recommendations through strengthened partnerships.
Members of the Group will work closely with civil society at the 2009 Commonwealth People’s Forum to develop an action plan for taking forward its recommendations.
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