New UNESCO Toolkit promotes peer-to-peer learning on policies for creativity

UNESCO organized an online peer-review workshop on 9 December 2021 to finalise the Toolkit on “Promoting policy and cooperation to support creativity”, which promotes peer-to-peer learning on policies for formulating and strengthening measures and policies for creativity following the guidance of the UNESCO 2005 Convention for the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions.

The toolkit was developed as part of the programme “EU/UNESCO Expert Facility on the Governance of Culture in Developing Countries: Supporting new regulatory frameworks to strengthen the cultural and creative industries and promote South-South cooperation,” which is benefitting Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda in Eastern Africa as well as Costa Rica, Gabon, Georgia, Jamaica, Mexico, Namibia, Palestine, Panama, and Zimbabwe.

Through three dynamic focus group discussions, key aspects of the opportunities and challenges of the peer-to-peer exchanges, and their potential to reinforce the outcomes of the different national projects supported through this programme were discussed. The groups also reflected on the success and risk factors, as well as features that would support the implementation of the Peer-to-peer learning methodology for the future.

The workshop allowed participants to collectively review the draft content of the toolkit and brainstorm on potential gaps. It also facilitated information-sharing and strengthened peer-to-peer learning and networking among partner countries. The feedback gathered from the discussions on how the Peer to peer learning experience contributed to the development, design, and implementation of cultural policies and regulatory frameworks in the Culture and Creative Industries sector and enhance south-south cooperation, will be used to improve and finalize the toolkit.