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MONDIACULT 2025: Europa Nostra at the forefront of Culture for Sustainable Development

October 07, 2025 | Posted in Policy

A delegation of Europa Nostra participated in MONDIACULT 2025, the world’s largest cultural policy conference organised by UNESCO from 29 September to 1 October in Barcelona, which brought together around 2,500 participants from 163 countries to help shape the global agenda for culture in the years ahead. Across six themes and two focus areas, we engaged in discussions addressing the key challenges and opportunities for the future of culture.

The participation of Europa Nostra helped to place European cultural heritage priorities at the heart of global discussions and to underscore the vital role of heritage in climate action, social cohesion, and peace building. Through this engagement, we:

  • Ensured Europe’s cultural heritage priorities were represented in international policy debates, including the potential establishment of a standalone Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for culture.
  • Advocated for the protection of cultural rights and heritage as central to sustainable development and societal resilience.
  • Strengthened civil society influence by uniting local, national, and regional stakeholders to shape global cultural policy.
  • Demonstrated Europe’s leadership in collaborative, inclusive approaches to heritage conservation, climate action, and cultural diversity.

With the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda nearing completion, MONDIACULT 2025 provided a crucial platform for civil society to advocate for the recognition of culture as a standalone SDG. Over 100 NGOs, including Europa Nostra, actively engaged in the Civic Agora, emphasising that cultural rights are fundamental human rights, essential for democracy, peace, and sustainability. Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra and Leader of the European Heritage Hub, played a leading role in promoting this agenda and representing Europe’s cultural heritage priorities on the global stage in an event organised by UCLG, the 6th UCLG Culture Summit.

In addition, Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović attended the meeting of the Group of Friends for Culture-Based Climate Action — alongside Culture Ministers Margareth Menezes (Brazil) and Lina Mendoni (Greece),  and HRH Princess Dana Firas of Jordan, ICOMOS Vice-President, President of Petra National Trust, Chair of INTO and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage — reinforcing Europa Nostra’s commitment to positioning culture as a driver of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient societies. Ahead of the COP30 in Belem, Brazil, Europa Nostra and the European Heritage Hub applauded and strongly supported the Barcelona Declaration, which calls for continued advocacy in making culture a central pillar of global climate action.

Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović also presented Europa Nostra in the Voices for Culture space, highlighting Europe’s priorities in heritage protection, cultural policy, and the vital role of civil society in shaping global cultural frameworks.

Europa Nostra actively participated in the event “From Crisis to Commitment: Rethinking Policies and Partnerships for Heritage Protection in Conflict and Peacebuilding”, where our Advocacy and Partnerships Manager, Vanessa Fraga Prol, presented the work of Europa Nostra and the European Heritage Hub, demonstrating how our flagship programmes — including the 7 Most Endangered Programme — translate policy into tangible action.

Civil society not only advocates, raises awareness, and shapes policy implementation, but in contexts of war, fragility, and displacement, flexible, inclusive, and conflict-sensitive approaches are essential, while strong partnerships between institutions and grassroots actors are crucial to safeguarding Europe’s cultural heritage and the values it embodies.

Furthermore, a side event titled “Youth Voices on Heritage Policy and Cultural Governance” was organised in collaboration with the European Students’ Association for Cultural Heritage (ESACH) within the framework of the EU-funded European Heritage Hub. The Project Manager of the European Heritage Hub, Manon Richard, contributed to a discussion which explored how cultural education and the connection between culture and rights can shape inclusive policies for the future, highlighting how young professionals can actively co-create heritage policy recommendations.

At MONDIACULT 2025, Europa Nostra reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to cultural heritage as a public good, empowering citizens, fostering creativity, and ensuring Europe’s voice and values remain central to shaping the future of culture worldwide.

 

More information

www.unesco.org/en/mondiacult
www.flickr.com/photos

 

 

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