The UK Coalition for Cultural Diversity, UKCCD, together with our partners, the Global Policy Institute, City University and the U-40 Programme, is bringing together a special event to inform young and upcoming cultural leaders on Unesco’s groundbreaking Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, 2005.

The forum is timed to take place shortly after the UK election, and on the eve of the meeting of the European and North American National Commissions for Unesco in London. It is the latest in a series of events set up by the UKCCD to promote the Convention, a unique, international tool for cultural policy and international, cultural exchange.

Confirmed speakers include Holly Aylett, Director of UKCCD, Anne Steinkamp, Director of the U-40 Programme (Germany); Louise de Winter, Director of The National Campaign for the Arts; Carole Tongue, Chair of the UKCCD, and members of the U40 (under 40) network from Latin America, Spain and Malta.

Our aim is to initiate a U40 group in the cultural and creative sector to represent the UK in the growing, international U40 network. The U40 Programme is a capacity building programme for young experts, advancing research and awareness on the implementation of Unesco’s Convention, 2005. Started by the German Commission for Unesco in 2007, it aims to invest in future decision makers and build a strong, international network to support governments and civil society organizations in achieving the aims of the Convention.

This unique instrument champions cultural policy and values in the context of international law, and commits signatories (currently 110) to greater exchange and support for creative industries in the developing world. Culture is placed at the centre of development agendas.