Music as a Global Resource: - International Council for Caring ...

Why do we find that cities today are challenged by the need to increase cultural facilities and
access to culture, technology and information among poorer areas and more affluent cities alike?
It has been demonstrated through the years, that culture and particularly music, among the
cultural expressions brings the capacity of rich and poor to take advantage of opportunities for
self-development and enjoyment.
Numerous cities in the world are promoting culture in underprivileged areas and enabling some
form of cultural rights and expressions through main channels, such as ad hoc provision of shared
spaces for cultural events, promotion of intercultural programmes, and the protection and
celebration of specific monuments and buildings that are part of the architectural heritage.
But there is a need to further recognize the many cultural and ethnic groups’ identities in order to
bring a sense of inclusion. This is very much needed in cities where the poor, living in slums, are
systematically excluded from cultural life, along with the elderly, the young people and foreign
migrants.
Cities should encourage anything that can foster multiple and complementary identities in order
to reduce any polarization among various groups, particularly in a multi-cultural, multi-linguistic,
multi-ethnic type of society. Recognition of cultural diversity entails the deployment of spaces
and conditions that favor various forms of active participation, in accordance with the diverse
societal, cultural and organizational forms that characterize any given population.
This is why UN-HABITAT welcomes efforts from initiatives such as the Music as a Global
Resource that effectively address the challenges of sustainable community development so much
needed in cities today.
Cecilia Martinez, Director
United Nations Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), New York Office
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