Hanoi (VNA) - The network of UNESCO associations and clubs has made significant contributions to the advancement of cultural industries for sustainable development through various activities and projects across the country.
The UNESCO movement plays an important role in shaping the future of the cultural industry, contributing to the common development of humanity, said Nguyen Xuan Thang, President of the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations (VFUA) and member of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres, and Associations (WFUCA).
Thang made the statement at the opening ceremony of the 43rd Session of the WFUCA Executive Board and an international conference on the roles and contributions of associations and clubs for the UNESCO movement in cultural industries.
The event took place on August 5-6 in Ha Long City, in the northern province of Quang Ninh.
According to Thang, the UNESCO movement not only plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of various countries but also serves as a bridge between different cultures, fostering exchange, communication, and the sharing of cultural products and services.
Thang highlighted the activities of non-governmental UNESCO movements, with nearly 5,000 UNESCO associations and clubs worldwide, to increase support for the global development of cultural industries, notably the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), the Creative Industries Project, and the International Fund for Cultural Diversity.
Speaking at the conference, Bolat Akchulakov, President of the World Federation of Clubs and Associations for UNESCO, said the event served as an effective platform, bringing together initiatives from various countries with the shared goals of advancing cultural and creative industries, preserving heritage, and promoting sustainable development.
He called on member states to intensify the UNESCO movement at the inter-regional level, further promote the partnership programme with UNESCO, activate the potential of youth to become the next generation of leaders, as well as strengthen solidarity and maximize efforts to achieve synergy and consensus for a better world.
Le Quoc Minh, President of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association and Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan (People) Newspaper, said Vietnam possesses unique cultural values that could serve as a strong foundation for developing its cultural industry. However, to make real investment and effectively capitalize on these values is no simple task.
According to Minh, discussions about cultural development should not be limited to values recognized globally. Various values can offer unique advantages. The material and spiritual heritage of the Vietnamese people, which represents a valuable asset for the future, can be found in every mountain, river, and village.
“If we do not identify and preserve our cultural assets soon, the rapid processes of urbanization and development may result in the irreversible loss of many heritages.”
Journalist Le Quoc Minh affirmed that UNESCO is not just an institution but also a movement of the people. He hoped that the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations and international UNESCO organizations will join hands with the Vietnamese government and people in discovering and honoring unique cultural values, creating a foundation for development./.
