Localising the Sustainable Development Goals through Culture? Insights from UK UNESCO Designated Sites

Join us as we delve into the practical mobilisation of culture to address the SDGs in four UK UNESCO designated sites.

Culture is a powerful tool to advance sustainable development, and tackle the most pervasive global challenges to people, and our planet. Surprisingly, culture is currently not at the forefront of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Yet, inspiring examples of SDG localisation through cultural initiatives are emerging globally, especially in urban settings.

Join us as we delve into the practical mobilisation of culture to address the SDGs through the project ‘Exploring Sustainable Development in UK UNESCO Designated Sites’, co-designed in partnership with the UK National Commission for UNESCO.

After learning about successful examples of SDG localisation through culture from Jordi Pascual (United Cities and Local Governments), four dedicated Liberal Arts students from the University of Leeds will share their insights on how cultural strategies can support SDG localisation at four UNESCO-designated sites across the UK, building on their previous reflections published by the Horizons Institute. Their research spans a variety of cultural expressions—from historic buildings and film to music heritage and biocultural diversity—highlighting culture's crucial role in tackling key issues such as educational inequality and youth mental health.

We are also excited to announce the upcoming launch of a series of blogs that present their research findings, soon to be published on the UK National Commission for UNESCO website. Join us on May 28th (12.00-13.30 BST) to engage in an online conversation about the transformative power of culture, from local to global scales.

This project is part of the FOAH2001: Research Placement module and is supervised by Dr Francesca Gilberto, a research fellow in management, cultural heritage, and sustainable urban development at the Leeds University Business School, in partnership with the UK National Commission for UNESCO.

Register for Localising the Sustainable Development Goals through Culture? Insights from UK UNESCO Designated Sites at Eventbrite. 

Agenda:

• 12:00 - 12:10 AM – Welcome and introduction by Francesca Giliberto, University of Leeds
• 12:10 - 12:25 AM – Local to Global: The Role of UNESCO in Supporting Sustainable development in the UK by James Bridge, Secretary General, UK National Commission for UNESCO
• 12:25 - 12:40 AM – SDG Localisation through Culture in Cities by Jordi Pascual, United Cities and Local Governments
• 12:40 - 12:50 AM – Culture's Role in Creating Community Cohesion in Bristol, UNESCO City of Film by Hannah Hogg, University of Leeds
• 12:50 - 13:00 AM – Role of Music in Enhancing Child Wellbeing in Liverpool, UNESCO City of Music by Emilia Francis, University of Leeds
• 13:00 - 13:10 AM – Role of Culture in Enabling Children's Education (Tower of London) by Ciara Wallace, University of Leeds
• 13:10 - 13:20 AM – Biocultural Heritage and Sustainable Development in the Dyfi Biosphere by Alice Tenney, University of Leeds
• 13:20 - 13:30- AM – Concluding Remarks