New training centre helps indigenous youth gain cultural industry jobs

A new audio-visual training centre has helped indigenous youth in Guatemala gain cultural industry jobs. The Guatemalan non-profit organization IRIPAZ (Instituto de Relaciones Internacionles e Investigaciones para la Paz) are behind the project for indigenous people, while UNESCO’s International Fund for Cultural Diversity supported the endeavor. Read more

Building an audiovisual market in Cameroon

Boosting access to regional audiovisual material, the Cameroonian Association to Promote Audiovisual and Live Performance (APPAS) has created the first database of central African cinematographic and audiovisual productions. The initiative offers an innovative channel for producers and broadcasters to distribute or access quality audiovisual works. The non-governmental organization’s initiative was funded by UNESCO’s International Fund for Cultural Diversity. Read more

Fundraising strategy developed

The past few months has seen IFCD work with an expert company to develop a practical and cost-effective fundraising and communications strategy. The draft strategy, along with all working documents for the upcoming sixth session of the annual Intergovernmental Committee meeting, will be available on our website from 10 November 2012.

2010 project cycle coming to a successful close

Our 2010 funding cycle of projects is coming to an end. Here are some interesting facts and figures about the 31 projects that received funding. They all helped strengthen cultural industries through activities that developed policies, capacities or markets. 19 were driven by non-government organizations, while 12 were implemented by public bodies. Most had awareness-raising components. Detailed results information will be available on our website soon.

Flagship report set to feature IFCD-supported projects

The projects supported through the IFCD and their achievements will feature prominently in a special edition of the Creative Economy Report 2013 that UNESCO and UNDP are co-producing on the creative economy at the local level in developing countries. The conclusions of the Creative Economy Report 2013 will be designed to inform international debates on integrating culture in the post 2015 Sustainable Development Agenda.

This month the spotlight falls on Mexico, a country that is demonstrating an impressive commitment to the values and objectives of the 2005 Convention and IFCD. “For Mexico, promoting cultural diversity is a priority issue,” Ambassador Carlos de Icaza, the Permanent Representative of Mexico to UNESCO said.

Parties are encouraged to make annual contributions to IFCD that equal at least 1% of their yearly contribution to UNESCO. Mexico has done this since 2009. “We support IFCD as an innovative tool for fostering international cooperation and solidarity to protect and promote cultural industries, particularly in developing countries,” the Ambassador said.

Meanwhile, since 2010 in Uruguay, IFCD has supported several projects focused on promoting social inclusion through creative industries. “Culture is a fundamental element for social cohesion …IFCD contributes to the promotion of culture as constituting a basic right of citizens,” said Andrea Vignolo, Secretary General of the National Commission of Uruguay for UNESCO. “People have the right to create and enjoy culture and the IFCD is an important tool to promote, disseminate and celebrate the mandate and recommendations of the 2005 Convention among citizens.”