The 2nd G20 Culture Meet of India aims to nurture, celebrate, and incorporate cultural diversity for achieving sustainable development.
The G20 Culture Working Group’s second meeting commenced in Bhubaneswar on 14th May and prioritized the pursuit of sustainability through crafts and heritage. To align with this objective, an exhibition titled ‘Sustain: The Craft Idiom’ was officially inaugurated at the Odisha Crafts Museum by Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy and Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik.
The Goal of the Meeting
According to a statement from the Ministry of Culture, representatives from G20 member countries, guest nations, and various international organizations gathered for the four-day event. The primary objective of this assembly was to address the challenges confronting the cultural sector and engage in comprehensive discussions to formulate practical and actionable recommendations.
According to officials, the upcoming event will also expand upon the discussions conducted during the initial cultural track meeting that took place in Khajuraho in February. Alongside the first meeting, an exhibition titled ‘Re(ad)dress: Return of Treasures’ showcased artifacts that have been repatriated to India from different countries in recent years.
Indeed, each culture track meeting features a supplementary exhibition related to its theme. The upcoming Culture Working Group meeting is scheduled to take place in Hampi in July, followed by the ministerial meeting in August, which is expected to be held in Varanasi.
Key focus areas of the meeting
The Culture Working Group meetings prioritized discussions on four primary areas of focus: safeguarding and returning cultural property, utilizing living heritage for long-term sustainability, promoting cultural and creative industries as well as the creative economy, and harnessing digital technologies for the protection and advancement of culture.
As an exciting feature of the meeting, there was an exhibition of sand art created by Padma Shri Awardee, Sudarsan Pattnaik on Puri Beach titled ‘Culture Unites All’. The theme recognized that through the embrace of cultural exchange and understanding, we can surpass boundaries, cultivate connections, and inspire meaningful dialogue among individuals, communities, and nations.
The Bottom Line
During the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2022, a statement was embraced that established culture as a ‘universal public asset’. These momentous proclamations have firmly established culture as a fundamental aspect of public policy and international collaboration. It recognizes its inherent worth in promoting sustainable development. According to Minister of State Nityanand Rai, India is progressing towards a future where it aims to become a futuristic, prosperous, inclusive, and developed nation by the time it celebrates its 100th year of independence. He further expressed that as a member of the G-20 culture working group, India holds a distinct opportunity and responsibility to utilize the transformative potential of culture.
With its pioneering climate action platform, The Disposal Company is leading the charge towards a sustainable future in India, enabling brands to go plastic-neutral and carbon-neutral with ease. Discover more here.
