The Second Session of the First Advisory Committee to International Center for Creativity and Sustainable Development under the Auspices of UNESCO (hereinafter referred to as ICCSD) convened in Beijing on September 25th. 15 guests from 10 countries attended the meeting both online and offline. Mehri Madarshahi, the former United Nations economic officer and member of the Advisory Committee of ICCSD, Hans d'Orville, President of the Advisory Committee of ICCSD and other professionals offered their suggestions and provided insights into how to promote sustainable development in ways of creativity and innovation.
Mehri Madarshahi
A former senior United Nations economic officer and a member of the Advisory Committee of ICCSD
Mehri Madarshahi began her presentation with congratulating the global community on the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. She quoted the UN Secretary-General on the importance and relevance of multilateral cooperation among member states at the time when the world is confronting protectionism and competitions. She highlighted the importance of ICCSD, as a promoter of multilateral and sustainable development cooperation, and emphasized that during the post-pandemic era, the Centre should help advance global governance and promote SDGs more vigorously than usual.
This is due to the fact that the post-pandemic era will pose unexpected challenges for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. The dire economic situations in many countries will impact negatively the timely implementation of goals on poverty reduction, public health, human well-being and others. Many countries will not overcome these reverse economic impacts on their future plans, be it on social, industrial or cultural sectors for a foreseeable future. Covid-19 is not only a wake-up call but also a dress rehearsal for the world of challenges to come. We must move forward with humility — recognizing that a microscopic virus has brought the world to its knees. A New Global Deal must be rooted in fair globalization, based on the rights and dignity of every human being, on living in balance with nature, and on our responsibilities to future generations.
The negative impact of coronavirus on cultural life and artistic expressions was also sudden and unpredictable. To overcome some of its negative impacts, we shall pursue new ways for presenting and consuming art and culture in different forms. The pandemic has overturned the world, but that upheaval has created space for something new. The power of creativity along with use of technology and innovation could give rise to transformative changes in our future world.
The integration of science and technology with digital economy could also create a swelling ground for a new model of global governance. With the help of science and technology, goals of SDG will further advance and disruption caused by COVID-19 could be overcome.
Despite laudable attempts, we so far have not reduced our greenhouse gas emissions in line with scientific advice, making this the most critical decade ever. The next 10 years will determine whether we stand any chance of preventing the worst impacts of climate change, which might be worse than the COVID-19 disruption.
This requires shift to a new paradigm and new thinking.
Hans d’Orville
Chairman of Advisory Committee of ICCSD；Former Assistant Director-General for Strategic Planning of UNESCO
We have heard many valuable proposals, in particular regarding several national or institutional efforts. Yet, as an international center under the auspices of UNESCO, ICCSD must focus in particular also on multilateral approaches. This is one of the major themes which was running through our discussion, especially during this 75th anniversary of the United Nations observed in 2020. ICCSD is unique in as much as it is the first multilateral institution dealing with creativity, which has become a power in its own right, and its impact on sustainable development is captured by the UN’s Agenda 2030.
Covid-19 has trust us into a totally new world. The linkage between the pandemic, the sustainable development goals (SDGs), city development and green recovery is writen large on ICCSD’s agenda. The world has entered a time of uncertainty and disruption. Developing countries in particular are vulnerable due to their lack of economic diversity. They face daunting consequences. We must search for a new balance between what is a new normal and the old abnormal which will define the scope of future globalization. We need a new global deal, an inclusive multilateralism to protect the planet. This must be the key and the umbrella for all future initiatives.
We have to break down globalization into creative projects for each individual SDG. Creativity can provide disruptive visions, where the balance between resources and constraints can generate new projects. Arguably, the pandemic is a catalyst to attain the SDGs while at the same time also being disruptive. Indeed, these are two sides of the same coin. We need multilateral solutions, of which there is right now a deficit in spite of proliferating global crises. The SDGs are the paramount framework for a green recovery, and especially so for climate change action and the reduction of harmful emissions.
COVID-19 is a dress rehearsal for challenges to come. We have to avoid splitting the world and creating new tensions. In pandemic conditions, this is particularly relevant for scientific research projects. In addition, COVID-19 has a negative impact on culture and sports, but thanks to new online opportunities many more people can now appreciate arts and music as well as sports events. Such expanded access is facilitated through new technologies, artificial intelligence and applications accessible from homes.
The impact of COVID-19 on cities was also highlighted. We need a platform for knowledge exchanges among cities. We also need to design new apps for education, for the involvement of youth and for bringing rural populations closer to what is happening in the fight against COVID-19. This is the enabling power of technology. ICCSD should reach out to companies like Xiaomi to help to develop such apps. The nexus among design, creativity and technology is a key for the future sustainability of the world. This message was echoed in various presentations.
The pandemic has opened a new path for the pursuit of new values such as human dignity, equality, sharing, solidarity, resilience, health, prevention and agricultural resources. The public appetite for transformative change is clearly growing in the present circumstances.
When we look to the role of design, and the design framework, creativity is about one world sharing the same dream, empathy, design for the one-ness of humanity, and the pursuit of common welfare of all humanity. Such activities are resurging globally.
Education is another critical area, which will require e-learning and numerous digital apps and online courses. COVID-19 has limited student exchanges across the world and the interaction among youths has been reduced. ICCSD can contribute to support the development of online and digitized curricula and, to that end, partner and share with universities. New technologies and the Internet can enhance training activities, involving also a redesign of MOOCs and Zoom-based courses. This can help promote young talents and reinforce the impact of cultural heritage and its legacy for sustainable development.
Creativity is a resource to find solutions to intractable issues. Indeed, it is the -as yet unrecognized – fourth pillar of sustainability. Something that seemed impossible in the past is now possible at a much higher speed. We have to shift ways of how we organize the system of work, moving away from old thinking and preserving our mental health. A collective effort must be cast in a holistic and integrated way. It cannot be done step by step and single issue by single issue. We must work together with creative people and industries to generate solutions. The precept of physical distancing must be combined with social togetherness, which creates vibrancy and nurtures inspiration and imagination. To this end, we have to change the nature of place and space in time. It is estimated that COVID-19 has fast-forwarded this development by 5 to 6 years.
In terms of urban planning and new forms of mobility, there are other challenges. Spatial design and architecture are challenged to help reduce the virus infection and design healthier and more comfortable housing units. New technologies, mobile Apps and AI will revolutionize sustainable urban design and decrease the density of human engagement.
For one, culture will change and reshape our lives in the future. We must stimulate the imagination to rethink how we tackle the manifold problems. Overall, communication will be critical. SDG 17 on partnerships should be of particular interest and relevance for ICCSD, tapping into a commonwealth of knowledge, knowhow and benchmarking. ICCSD is already partnering with Tsinghua University, Jinan University, UNESCO, UNCTAD, as well as with new international centers headquartered in China, such as those dealing with geographic information and big data.
The biggest disruption will be how we work and where we will work. We have to give a new face to cities as a result of the pandemic. We must design for well-being and for decent work alike. It will be important that political decision-making at all levels and in all countries is influenced by experts and researchers. This should become part of the new normal. Likewise collaboration between academies of science and acceptance of and recourse to the role of the World Health Organization should be broadly promoted. A network of science cities could play a particular role in that regard as well.
We have to involve the public in such work and appreciate the pursuit of culture and arts at home. But we need a new mindset to deal better with the balance of being close and open.
ICCSD’s focus and commitment should be defined by four paradigms, the four Ps: global creative property, global platforms for global creativity, global partnerships, and global creative powers and cultural creativity. The four Ps will be a guiding torch for ICCSD’s future work. All efforts can be highlighted and showcased throughout the year 2021 which has been designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Creative Economy for Development. UNCTAD, ICCSD’s new partner, will serve as the UN-led agency for the celebration of this year and joint efforts to achieve the objectives of the Year will be of great importance.
Let me express once again my appreciation for all exceedingly rich presentations and suggestions made during this second meeting of the ICCSD Advisory Committee.
Special announcement: This article only represents the views of expert, not the views or positions of ICCSD.
