World Creativity and Innovation Day

The creative economy too has no single definition. It is an evolving concept which builds on the interplay between human creativity and ideas and intellectual property, knowledge and technology. Essentially it is the knowledge-based economic activities upon which the ‘creative industries’ are based. Creative industries –which include audiovisual products, design, new media, performing arts, publishing and visual arts– are a highly transformative sector of the world economy in terms of income generation, job creation and export earnings. Culture is an essential component of sustainable development and represents a source of identity, innovation and creativity for the individual and community.  At the same time, creativity and culture have a significant non-monetary value that contributes to inclusive social development, to dialogue and understanding between peoples. Today, the creative industries are among the most dynamic areas in the world economy providing new opportunities ...

UNESCO has spent more than two decades positioning culture and the creative industries at the heart of global policy, development planning and crisis response through the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions The Organization has helped more than 100 countries design or reform cultural policies, focusing on areas such as strengthening socio-economic protections for artists, supporting the digital transition of the creative sectors and empowering vulnerable communities to create, express and share their diverse cultural expressions. UNESCO has also equipped thousands of cultural professionals, artist and civil society groups with training and tools to navigate today’s complex challenges. Over 8,100 cultural policies and measures have been adopted by Parties to the 2005 Convention to boost the cultural and creative industry’s role in sustainable development. Through the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD), UNESCO has suppo...