International Conference on Consulting and Building Da Lat City to join The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)

International Conference on Consulting and Building Da Lat City to join The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)

(According to Lao Dong Online Newspaper) - On the morning of June 8, at Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel, The People's Committee of Da Lat city in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lam Dong province, and the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts organized the international conference "Consultations to build a profile of Da Lat city to join The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)".

Conference Chairman

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong - Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts; Mr. Tran Thanh Hoai - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lam Dong province; Mr. Dang Quang Tu - Chairman of People's Committee of Da Lat city moderated the conference.

Mr. Pham S - Vice Chairman of Lam Dong People's Committee also attended the seminar; Representatives of leaders of a number of provinces and cities, and national and international experts in culture and art. The seminar was held in the form of a face-to-face and online meeting with the participation of 150 domestic and international delegates, in order to contribute practical ideas for building Da Lat's profile to join The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the field of music.

Provincial leaders and leaders of Da Lat City attended the seminar.

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) is an initiative launched in 2004, with the goal of promoting cooperation among cities that take creativity as a strategic element for sustainable urban development. There are 7 principal fields to focus on including handicrafts and folk arts, design, film, cuisine, literature, multimedia art, and music. UCCN cities are committed to contributing to the network's common vision through sharing experiences, developing partnerships, respecting diversity, and ensuring the integration of literature and creativity into all aspects of social life. With this principle and vision, UCCN has received a positive response from the international community. As of 2023, 301 cities around the world have joined the network, of which 61 are registered with the music sector.

Mr. Dang Quang Tu - Chairman of Da Lat City People's Committee gave the opening speech of the seminar.

Speaking at the opening of the seminar, Mr. Dang Quang Tu - Chairman of Da Lat City People's Committee shared: 2023 is a year of special political significance for the government and people of Da Lat City, marking an important imprint of 130 years of formation and development of Da Lat City (1893 - 2023). The organization of this seminar is a very important content to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the city's formation and development, thereby promoting the image of the country and people of Da Lat, developing the global Da Lat brand to international friends, contributing to promoting cooperation for sustainable development in all aspects including the development of the local music culture industry. It is also a prerequisite for the city to continue to propose to recognize Da Lat City as a heritage city, thereby creating opportunities for residents to better realize their commitment to putting people and people's creativity at the center of urban development strategies.

Chairman of Da Lat City People's Committee also expressed that the authorities and people of Da Lat city hope that promoting the values of music will help strengthen the image of the city as a place where people live in harmony with nature. From there, the conservation and simultaneous promotion of cultural diversity and biodiversity will be implemented even more widely and beyond the boundaries of the city.

The conference took place with 2 topics, including "The UNESCO Creative Cities Network - vision, principles, and practical experience" and "Music and Connections - Roadmap and Initiative for Da Lat to Join UNESCO's Creative Cities Network". The delegates spent time discussing the purpose, meaning, role, and principles of The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN); they introduction of some international experiences in the preparation of the application for accession to The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN); Presentation of the draft dossier of Da Lat's registration to join The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the field of music.

Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism spoke at the seminar.

At the seminar, Da Lat City People's Committee expressed its determination to run for The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the field of music. with the expectation of enhancing opportunities to learn from experience in formulating mechanisms and policies, expanding exchanges, and cooperating in many fields with the cities in the network, thereby bringing Da Lat City to develop quickly and sustainably with inherent potential in the context of international integration.

The organization of the seminar is one of the activities to receive feedback and comments on the draft dossier of Da Lat to register to join this network.

Mr. Pham S - Vice Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee delivered a directing speech at the seminar.

On behalf of leaders of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, Vice Chairman of Provincial People's Committee, Mr. Pham S also directed the City People's Committee after the seminar to continue to urgently coordinate with relevant agencies and units to build and complete the dossier to participate in The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) efficiently, in a timely manner, while ensuring the time and requirements set forth.

The seminar will continue in the afternoon to have a roundtable discussion on the draft dossier for Da Lat City to join The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).