A Goal for Culture: The São Paulo Manifesto

At the World Cities Culture Summit 2023, hosted in São Paulo from 25-27 October 2023, Mayors, Deputy Mayors and senior leaders from 21 cities launched A Goal for Culture: São Paulo Manifesto , calling for culture to be a dedicated UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) post 2030. 

The Manifesto sets out how recognising culture with a dedicated SDG can help meet the pressing challenges facing the globe, underscoring the ability of culture to build bridges, promote peace and understanding, inspire innovation and foster community pride and identity. 

Ricardo Nunes, Mayor of São Paulo, says:  

“The City of São Paulo supports the call for a dedicated Sustainable Goal for Culture in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  We truly believe that Culture plays an important role in transforming people’s lives and contributes for a sustainable future, as it along with other public policies enhances social and economic development, reducing inequalities. The City of São Paulo demonstrates its concern with a sustainable future and the role of Culture as we invest in creating more effective public policies for babies, children, the youth and adults, giving opportunities and access to cultural spaces and supporting cultural projects, which generates income and a more equal society. It is with great pleasure that we assure our support on the São Paulo Manifesto 2023.”

Read the manifesto in Arabic, English, French, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese and Mandarin.

The Manifesto has been signed by Austin, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Dubai, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Helsinki, Kyiv, Lisbon, London, Melbourne, Milan, Montréal, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, São Paulo, Stockholm, Sydney, Tokyo, Vancouver and Warsaw. 

Why a Culture Goal now? 

The existing UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) don’t currently recognise Culture as its own goal. But in the face of geopolitical conflicts, the effects of climate change,  inequality and poverty in communities around the world, culture has a crucial role to play.  

Culture underpins all three pillars of sustainability: economic, social and environmental.

Culture fosters imagination, creativity and innovation which we need to fight the climate crisis and other pressing issues of our time. A dedicated Culture Goal will realise the full potential of culture and ensure its rightful place in the global development agenda. 

Culture gives us identity, resilience and joy. And appreciating each other’s cultures contributes to global cohesion and cooperation. 

What will a Culture Goal help us achieve? 

Adding Culture as a dedicated Sustainable Development Goal will help: 

• Unlock culture’s force to deliver sustainable development 
• Engage people’s hearts as well as their minds in building a sustainable future   
• Encourage governments and city administrations to strategically invest in culture  
• Inspire culture organisations to play a part in achieving sustainability  
• Unleash creativity and the human imagination towards a better future   

With over half of the world’s population now living in cities and rapid urbanisation set to continue – the role of cities is fundamental to civic wellbeing. This Manifesto marks a bold step forward in advocating for a dedicated culture goal.  The call for a dedicated Sustainable Development Goal for Culture is led by UNESCO. The Manifesto adds to growing calls from other cultural groups.  

“We truly believe that Culture plays an important role in transforming people’s lives and contributes for a sustainable future.”

Richard Nunes, Mayor of Sao Paulo

Mayor of Vancouver, Ken Sim attended the launch and said:  

“Culture connects us to the land, and culture offers new ways of looking at how we live on these lands, and with each other. The City of Vancouver strongly supports the call for a dedicated Sustainable Goal for Culture in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Culture Shift, the 2020-2029 Culture Plan for Vancouver, already lists sustainability as a key and important part of a vibrant city. We are proud to add our voice to this campaign.”  

Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, Mayor of the City of Buenos Aires, said: 

“The inclusion of a specific goal regarding Culture in the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda would be a well-deserved recognition of its undeniable importance. In Buenos Aires, culture is imprinted in our DNA, and it is a key factor in the City’s development. In fact, culture represents a significant contribution to employment in the City, as it is among the most thriving sectors and one that offers the best opportunities for young people. Besides, we understand culture as a fundamental right for all the citizens, which contributes to their quality of life and to the development of their potential.”  

Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montréal, said:

“Cultural vitality is essential for municipalities, as it fosters participatory, inclusive and resilient environments that contribute to improving the quality of life of the entire population. Montréal’s ongoing efforts are aimed at making culture accessible to all segments of the population, in each of its neighbourhoods, in addition to supporting the major events for which the city is internationally renowned.”  

“La vitalité culturelle est essentielle pour les municipalités, car elle favorise des environnements participatifs, inclusifs et résilients qui contribuent à améliorer la qualité de vie de l’ensemble de la population. Les efforts continus de Montréal visent à rendre la culture accessible à toutes les tranches de la population, dans chacun des quartiers, en plus de soutenir les grands événements qui font la renommée internationale de la métropole. Maintenir une offre culturelle gratuite et diversifiée sur l’ensemble du territoire est au cœur de la vision culturelle de notre administration. Nous soutenons le Manifeste 2023 du Forum mondial des villes et de la culture de São Paulo : Un objectif pour la culture, et nous lui emboîtons le pas.”

Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney, said:

“We need cities that are environmentally, economically, socially, and culturally sustainable. Supporting a separate goal for Culture recognises the critical role culture plays in sustainable development and we are proud to endorse this along with all the member cities of the Word Cities Culture Forum.”  

Robert Aldridge, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, said: 

“Edinburgh has an ambitious target of becoming a net zero city by 2030. This goal along with our wider 2030 Climate Strategy are at the forefront of the Council’s key strategic priorities. Our exceptional culture sector is strongly committed to contributing towards this ambition whilst exploring innovative ways of maintaining and developing international connections and supporting creative expression. We will work collaboratively with all our partners to tackle this global challenge over the coming decades.” 

Paavo Arhinmäki, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Leisure, City of Helsinki said:

“As the first city in Europe, Helsinki committed to reporting on the Sustainable Development Goals in 2018. Cultural equality is one of the new themes of our SDG Report this year. It is an essential goal for cities with rapidly changing demographics. If we act in a culturally responsible way, we can avoid polarization and conflict and, instead, make sure the societal changes strengthen our creativity and resilience.” 

HE Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said:

“Culture holds the remarkable power to reshape cities, empower communities, improve well-being, and drive economic growth. At this pivotal juncture, we urge our global counterparts to join hands in championing a dedicated Sustainable Development Goal for culture within the UN’s 2030 Agenda. By endorsing the São Paulo Manifesto, we underline culture’s profound influence on sustainable advancement. Together, we can weave its transformative essence into our cities, forging a path towards a brighter future together.”  

Images Courtesy © WCCF