UNESCO and the Gansu Provincial Government release Policy Guideline on culture and creativity for sustainable development
Gansu Province, a historic crossroads of civilizations along the Silk Road, is demonstrating renewed vitality in leveraging culture and creativity as drivers of sustainable development. UNESCO and the Government of Gansu Province have jointly released Leveraging Culture and Creativity for Sustainable Development: Policy Guideline for Gansu’s Cultural and Creative Industries. Drawing on research and analysis conducted under the “Gansu Revitalization and Innovation Project” (GRIP) across nine counties along the Silk Road, the publication aims to support the integration of culture and creativity into Gansu’s sustainable development strategies.
The Policy Guideline demonstrates how Gansu’s cultural endowments, including 7 World Heritage sites, 5 intangible cultural heritage (ICH) elements inscribed in the UNESCO’s Representative List, 83 national intangible cultural heritage elements, and its diverse cultural and creative industries, are being leveraged to advance inclusive growth, community well-being, and innovation. In Maiji District, for example, cultural and tourism industries generated 14.7 billion CNY in 2024 and supported more than 15,000 workers, illustrating the significant potential of culture-led development across the province.Through the application of the Cities, Culture and Creativity (CCC) Framework, developed by UNESCO and the World Bank, the Guideline highlights how Gansu is translating global principles into local strategies. It identifies opportunities to strengthen cultural infrastructure, cultivate human capital, expand digital ecosystems and advance inclusive policies. The analysis also emphasizes that the benefits of culture and creativity extend far beyond the economy. Investments in cultural services and creative networks contribute to social cohesion, community identity and inclusion of vulnerable groups, while also improving quality of life.This Policy Guideline is the outcome of close collaboration between the Government of Gansu Province and UNESCO, with contributions from UNESCO Category 2 Center WHITR-AP Beijing and many researchers, practitioners, and communities. It provides a practical roadmap for Gansu and offers lessons of broader relevance for other provinces in China and beyond that seek to harness culture and creativity for sustainable and inclusive development.Click on "Read more" or copy the link to access full document:
- https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000396474
