Background of the project:
Although Lao PDR’s economy is mostly based on agriculture and on exchanges with its neighbours, cultural and creative industries have a definite potential to contribute to its economic development. Lao PDR also indicated its intention to benefit from its creative industries by ratifying the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in 2007. Also, the handicrafts sector has been identified as one sector with a high potential in the past and current Lao National Development Plans.
Technical and practical support to the sector first requires enabling cultural policies to protect the
diversity of cultural expressions, promote creativity and support the development of cultural industries.
Also, information, data and policies are scattered and not widely known among the various
stakeholders.
The project “Creative industries development for the diversity of cultural expressions “Strengthening
the sustainability of creative industry in Lao PDR” aims to set the base for a coordinated and strategic
approach among key actors.
During the implementing period (January 2012 to June 2013), the project will specifically:
1. Develop a thorough understanding of the current state of cultural industries in Lao PDR
2. Bring together the main stakeholders to:
a. build awareness on ratified normative instruments and their application
b. identify priorities for the development of the cultural industries
3. Propose a development strategy for at least one of the priority sectors.
For more information on working with UNESCO see the general employment page: http://www.unescobkk.org/job/opportunities/employment/