Culture is who we are and what shapes our identity. Culture contributes to poverty reduction and paves the way for a human-centred, inclusive and equitable development. No development can be sustainable without it.
Placing culture at the heart of development policies constitutes an essential investment in the world's future and a precondition to successful globalization processes that take into account the principle of cultural diversity.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development marks a substantial step forward for sustainable development in many fields, and particularly for culture as it is the first time that the international development agenda refers to culture within the framework of Sustainable Development Goals related to education, sustainable cities, food security, the environment, economic growth, sustainable consumption and production patterns, peaceful and inclusive societies.
In Lesotho, the National Commission for UNESCO's Culture Programme brings culture sector leaders together to discuss pressing issues as part of the Culture Stakeholder group that meets regularly. At the meetings, new and relevant information about culture sector policy is shared and cross-cutting issues of importance to the members are addressed.
Additionally, the Lesotho National Commission for UNESCO, in coordination with partners, is also embarking on a project called “Strengthening Sehlabathebe Community Conservation Forum to enhance community involvement in the conservation and management of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site”. This project entails utilizing participatory methodologies to support the locally-driven organization near the park - Community Conservation Forum (CCF) - with formal registration, and coordinating with local and national parties, including partners In South Africa, to develop and implement conservation and tourism promotion strategies which consider various disciplinary aspects.
2019 is recognized as the International Year of Indigenous Languages. Find information about the year here: https://en.iyil2019.org/.