The Government approves the new Strategy for Culture and Sustainable Development of Spanish Cooperation

The Diplomat The Council of Ministers adopted this Tuesday, July 28, the new Strategy for Culture and Sustainable Development of Spanish Cooperation, whose main objective is to renew and strengthen “Spain’s commitment to the defense and promotion of cultural rights and cultural diversity as fundamental pillars of sustainable development at a global level.” “This Strategy stems from a clear conviction: without culture there is no sustainable development,” declared the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, after the presentation of the document to the Council. The Strategy, as the Ministry indicated in a press release, was developed “through a broad participatory process with professionals from Spanish Cooperation and the cultural sector, incorporating contributions from institutional representatives, technical staff, cultural agents, and creators.” The Strategy is framed within the new cooperation model promoted by the Law on Cooperation for Sustainable Development and Global Solidarity and the Spanish Cooperation Master Plan, which recognize culture as “a human right, a specific area of action, and a cross-cutting element of all international cooperation.” Therefore, the document understands cooperation as a tool to “build bridges, reduce inequalities, and expand opportunities” and conceives of culture as “a human right, a space for participation and dialogue, an engine of social cohesion, and a tool for peacebuilding.” To achieve this objective, the Strategy is structured around ten strategic lines. The first four focus on guaranteeing the cultural rights of all people, promoting participation in cultural life, diversity, and the fight against inequalities, as well as incorporating a feminist approach, and seeking to strengthen democracy, peacebuilding, and social cohesion. Strategic lines 5 and 6 highlight the contribution of culture to economic and social development in the countries partnered with Spanish Cooperation by promoting the cultural and creative sector, as well as strengthening the link between culture and education. For their part, lines 7, 8, and 9 address some of the key global challenges, such as the protection of cultural heritage, the role of culture in addressing environmental and climate challenges, and the importance of transparent, democratic, and participatory communication. Finally, the last of the strategic lines focuses on fostering alliances capable of expanding the reach, innovation, and impact of cultural cooperation for sustainable development. “With this new roadmap, Spain calls upon institutions, organizations, communities, and cultural stakeholders to join forces in defending cultural rights and to advance, through international cooperation for sustainable development, toward a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable future,” the press release concludes.

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