XVI UNESCO Creative Cities Network Annual Conference – Mayors Meeting

Created in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) aims to foster cooperation with and among cities that recognize creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable economic, social, cultural, and environmental development. The UCCN is currently composed of 295 cities. Braga joined the network in 2017, becoming the only representative city in Media Arts in the Iberian Peninsula. With a resolute focus on ’20 years of UCCN: bringing youth to the table for the next decade’, the Conference underscores the critical imperative to harness the power of creativity and culture in building resilient and inclusive cities around the world. It stresses the importance of involving young minds in shaping this future. 

At the 2024 UCCN Annual Conference hosted by Braga, the goal is to spotlight how creativity in cities empowers lively and sustainable urban life, influences future cities for the next generations, and fosters the expression of cultural diversity.  Additionally, it draws attention to the importance of creative solutions and culture-oriented practices in propelling the state of sustainable development. Furthermore, it sheds light on the role of culture in today’s society within the city’s context, emphasising its global recognition as a public good. 

On July 3rd, INL will host a meeting where, approximately, 180 Mayors of the UCCN network will gather to network and enable the dialogue concerning the diverse factors that shape cultural governance, bolster investment initiatives, and cultivate diverse cross-sectoral collaborations and innovation.

João Martinho Moura | Index