ICOMOS CAWG Mondiacult side event “Trust and Synergies- Communities Combating Global Challenges”

ICOMOS CAWG is organising, in cooperation with Climate Heritage Network, UNITWIN Culture in Emergencies, Culture for the Planet, Entertainment+ Culture Pavilion Mondiacult, an official side event “Enhancing Trust and Synergies with Culture – Communities Combating Global Challenges”. The event takes place on 30 September from 14:30 to 15:30 in Barcelona Convention Centre. Link MONDIACULT 2025 Official Side Events | UNESCO

This side event aims to explore how culture, heritage, and artistic expression can serve as powerful tools for resilience, adaptation, and community empowerment during times of crisis, including conflict, climate disasters, and digital transformation. It will foster dialogue across disciplines and generations to highlight the synergies between traditional knowledge systems, cultural practices, and sustainability frameworks. By spotlighting the role of trust and collaboration, the event seeks to deepen understanding of how culturally grounded approaches can inform adaptation pathways and shape more inclusive and just climate and crisis responses. Additionally, it will explore the importance of transformative indicators and cultural metrics in advancing sustainable development, informing policy, and valorising the contributions of the arts and culture sector in global resilience strategies.

Keynote speakers and panellists elaborate on the following themes: How can culture and heritage contribute to resilience in times of crisis? What role does traditional knowledge play in climate adaptation? How can we build trust and foster synergies across sectors? What indicators are needed to recognise and scale the impact of cultural and artistic responses to global challenges?

Agenda 30.09, 14.30-15.30

Opening remarks by Ana Filipa Vrdolijak, UNITWIN University of Technology Sydney

Panel 1. Highlight presentations
Krista Pikkat, UNESCO Angela Martins, African Union Comission
Andrew Potts, Climate Heritage Network, ICOMOS
Jorge A. Sánchez Cordero Dávila, Mexican Center of Uniform Law (MCUL)

Panel 2. Discussion
Mounir Bouchnaki, UNESCO (Former ADG)
Giovanna Gray Nassralla, Culture for the Planet
Isaac Eseet, Climate Heritage Network African Coordinator
Ave Paulus, ICOMOS Climate Action Working Group
Moderated by Samuel Rubin, Entertainment + Culture Pavilion

Closing remarks by Jenny Hay, Climate Heritage Network and Alicja Jagielska-Burduk, UNITWIN

Organiser on behalf of ICOMOS – Ave Paulus, ave.paulus@icomos.org