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WCF 2016 pushes culture as agent of sustainable development
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World Culture Forum 2016 (-/-)
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ountless international forums over the years have focused on the roles that governments, businesses and the public can play in creating a more sustainable civilization.
Rarely, however, is culture's potential role in nurturing sustainability ever taken into account. This explains why the government has initiated the holding of the World Culture Forum (WCF), which seeks to change this by encouraging and promoting culture as a driver and enabler of sustainable development.
Following a success of organizing the first WCF in 2013, the government through the Culture and Education Ministry will hold WCF 2016 from Oct. 10 to 14, with the island of Bali once again being chosen as host.
The central theme of WCF 2016 is "Culture for an Inclusive Sustainable Planet". Over 1,500 participants from 65 countries around the globe are expected to attend this forum.
Participants will discuss, debate and contest established ideas and approaches for how culture can have a place in the narrative for sustainable development. They will also figure out ethical frameworks for ensuring community engagement and stakeholder benefits.
"A platform like this needs to be supported by policy makers that have a political and economic impact on society. As long as that platform doesn't exist, it's hard to imagine discussions of culture having any real results," said Hilmar Farid, director general of culture at the Culture and Education Ministry.
There will be six main symposiums throughout the forum discussing different topics related to the main themes of cultural inclusivity and sustainability.
Discussions cover subjects such as "Culture in the New Digital World", "Reviving Culture for Rural Sustainability" and "Reconciling Socioeconomic Growth and Environmental Ethics".
The emphasis on multicultural inclusivity throughout the event is important, especially for Indonesia, according to WCF steering committee member Azyumardi Azra.
"Indonesia is a huge country that certainly also has a big responsibility. This is mainly to create a safe and orderly world away from violence. The basic idea of this second WCF is still the same as the first. Indonesia wants to play a more assertive role in the development of an inclusive and peaceful multicultural society," Azyumardi said.
Delegates at the forum will come from across the globe. They range from government leaders, international figures, artists, academics, indigenous community members, NGOs and cultural stakeholders from all walks of life.
These include people such as Bandung mayor Ridwan Kamil, Europeana Foundation executive director Jill Cousins, environmental activist Satoko Kishimoto, MBC president and CEO Ahn Kwang-Han, and University of Sousse professor Moncef Ben Abdeljelil.
Keynote speakers include UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon, UNESCO secretary general Irina Bokova, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former Indonesian presidents B.J. Habibie and Megawati Soekarnoputri.
A number of supporting events during WCF 2016 have been arranged to accentuate the forum's cultural themes. Key among these events is a cultural visit to the UNESCO-designated world heritage sites of the traditional subak farming and irrigation system in Bali.
The visit is designed to help participants understand the rhythm of cultural development and cultural life in Bali.
"We want people to experience culture, not just talk about it. We want participants to see the problems faced by people directly, so that these problems aren't just viewed abstractly," Hilmar said.
International Youth Forum
Another notable highlight of WCF 2016 will be the International Youth Forum, which runs from Oct. 9 to 14 in parallel and in conjunction with the larger forum. A total of 160 youths from across the globe have been invited to take part in this event. They will be there to discuss and interact with Balinese locals to directly experience the problems being discussed at WCF 2016.
"We want to give them their own place where they can discuss the role that youths in developing a more inclusive and sustainable world," Hilmar said. "By having them visit villages with problems like water scarcity, they can better understand the problems faced by these villages, where some villagers need to walk several kilometers just to get a bucket of water. It builds empathy."
It's not just the distinguished delegates who are expected to experience culture at WCF 2016. The public is also invited to take part in WCF 2016's Oct. 11 cultural carnival. It will bring together more than 20 countries to showcase their cultural diversity through art communities, dance performances and street foods.
Other cultural exhibitions at the forum include a display of Indonesia's weaving products and an exhibit that examines underwater life through portraits.
All of these events are designed with the overarching goal of putting culture front and center when thinking about development.
"I am confident that this is the time for us to create a platform of mutual understanding and of valuing cultural diversity," Culture and Education Minister Muhadjir Effendy said. "This forum provides an opportunity to show how culture can support sustainable development."
