Last Monday, the seven Spanish creative cities of UNESCO with representatives of the central government met at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the first time. The meeting served for the representatives of the cities to expose the challenges they face in their international activity and their local projects, while talking about collaboration agreements and funding ways to meet the needs of their membership of the UNESCO network.
In this sense, the cities stressed their need to move in an international context, which implies an important dedication of human, technical and economic resources. The central government acknowledged the important role that cities are developing in their respective areas and valued the implementation of local projects committed to culture, sustainability and international cooperation.
From the central government even the possibility of establishing economic subsidies or specific financial aid for the cities integrated in the network was considered. Likewise, Spanish embassies, consulates and diplomatic offices were placed at the disposal of the cities in the countries where they should have a presence for their activity within the UNESCO network.
The relationship with the creative cities has been assigned to the Spanish National Commission of Cooperation with UNESCO, integrated in the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thus, in agreement with the cities, the National Commission of UNESCO assumed a role of intermediation when establishing relations and funding channels with other ministries, state agencies and public institutions.
Specifically, he undertook to make immediate arrangements with ICEX Spain, the Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade, an entity that arbitrates resources and promotes commercial and cultural activities in the international arena.
Collaboration between the cities of the UNESCO network
For its part, the seven cities have agreed to continue the collaboration initiated and address joint projects. At this moment we are already working on the drafting of a declarative document of intentions. In addition, they decided to hold an annual meeting of Spanish cities. The first has been set for the 7 and 8 days of February next year in Granada. These work days will take place annually on a rotating basis for the different Spanish cities of the UNESCO network.
In this first interview were present its secretary general, Carmen Pinar, and the members of the diplomatic corps Miguel Albero and Inés Manrique, chief and coordinator, respectively, of the Department of Cultural and Scientific Relations. On the part of the cities, Bilbao (city of Design), Granada (Literature), Terrassa (Cinema) and Burgos and Dénia (Gastronomy) were present. Barcelona (Literature) and Seville (Music) could not attend due to problems of their representatives' agenda, but announced their integration in the group. Representing Dénia, the mayor came, Vicent Grimalt, and the director of the Office of Innovation and Creativity, Floren Terrades.
