At a time where the worlds youth are faced with both climate anxiety, war, unemplyment and social insecurity, many point to art and culture as a possible answer. In the midst of this landscape stands the UN, an organization that constantly tries to balance between humanitarian crises and long-term development. But what roel does the UN actually play in promoting young peoples development through art and culture? And do they do enough?
Creativity as a human right
The UN has long recognized the impotance of culture. UNESCO, the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, works actively to preseve cultural
diversity and support artistic expression as a human right. Trough such programs
such as the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and the International Fund for Cultural
Diversity (IFCD), young artists and cultural workers are given the opportunity to
develop projects that promote sustainability, equality and social engagement. In this
sense, the UN plays a decisive role in giving young people the tools to express
themselves, build their identity and participate in social development. Art and culture
become a language that crosses borders and creates understanding. A small but non
the less, work of peace in itself.
Symbol politics or real support?
There are and maybe always will be many who question whether the UN actually
reaches out to the young people who need it the most. Critics point out that many UN
initiatives remain on paper, and that the bureaucracy can prevent quick and direct
support for young aspirering artists in poor or conflict-affected areas. Many believe
that local initiatives and grassroot movements often do more to lift young people`s
creative powers than large international programmes. Great goals for cultural
inclusion are of petty use if young people in The Gaza Strip, Tower Hamlets in
London or in Khartoum in Sudan do not have security, electricity, internet access to
participate in the projects.
A space for hope and dialogue
On the other hand, the experiences from UN-supported youth programs in Latin-
America and Africa show that art projects can have an enormous social effect.
Theatre, film and music have been used to process trauma, prevent violence and
build community between former enemies. The UN`s work with culture can therefor
be more than decoration, it can be a form of peace building.
A way forward
For the UN to succeed in developing young people`s potential through art and
culture, the organization must listen more to the young people themselves. It is not
enough to invite people to conferences; they must be given real influence on
decisions. At the same time the member states should make a stronger commitment
to intergrating art and culture in their national development policy. It is not just about
saving world heritage sites, but about creating fait in the future inthe generation that
will shape tomorrow.
Choices
The UN is faces with a choice: Will they continue to treat art and culture as an
addition to development work or as a centeral tool for social change and the youth`s
self expression? Perhaps art and culture is precisely what can build a bridge where
politics and diplomacy fails.
