Botswana submits its first Quadrennial Periodic Report under the UNESCO 2005 Convention

Botswana made a significant stride in promoting its cultural diversity when it ratified the UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions on 7 January 2020. This landmark move solidified Botswana's commitment to fostering a vibrant, inclusive cultural landscape and recognizing the fundamental importance of the diversity of cultural expression in the country.

The UNESCO 2005 Convention provides a legal framework for countries to support the creation, production, distribution, and access to diverse cultural activities, goods, and services.It emphasizes the importance of informed, transparent, and participatory governance systems for culture. Additionally, the Convention promotes international cooperation to strengthen cultural sectors, particularly in developing countries like Botswana. By ratifying the Convention, Botswana pledged to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions and to support the development of a dynamic cultural and creative sector in the country.

Traditional baskets

Four (4) years after ratifying the 2005 Convention, Botswana completes and submits its very first periodic report. These reports are an essential part of policy monitoring which help track the progress of countries in implementing the Convention's objectives and ensuring that policies and measures are effectively supporting the diversity of cultural expressions. Periodic reports provide detailed data and analysis which enable countries to have informed, transparent, and participatory governance systems for culture and are essential for the creation, production, distribution, and access to diverse cultural activities, goods, and services. The reports facilitate the sharing of best practices, challenges, and successes among countries, thereby strengthening cultural sectors globally, especially in developing countries. Regular reporting will ensure accountability and transparency in the implementation of the 2005 Convention in Botswana.

The Quadrennial Periodic Report was developed through a comprehensive, participatory and inclusive drafting process which involved consultations with key stakeholders from the country's cultural and creative sector and the different relevant ministries in the country. The participatory elaboration of the Quadrennial Periodic Report was facilitated through the "Re/shaping cultural policies for creativity" project led by the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa and the support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The country conducted extensive multi-stakeholder consultations to assess the state of its cultural and creative industries resulting in a comprehensiveQuadrennial Periodic Report. It provides a detailed overview of the country's cultural and creative industries identifying strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth and paving the way for targeted policy interventions.

Pula Musical

The Quadrennial Periodic Report drafting process has generated valuable insights and recommendations for strengthening Botswana's cultural and creative industries. Key areas to note from the validation workshop organized as part of the drafting process were recommendations to enhance the country's legal and policy frameworks to align with the principles of the 2005 Convention. Participants in the consultation process emphasized the need for increased access to culture, particularly through digital technologies, to ensure equitable opportunities for participation in cultural life.

Botswana's culture is celebrated through music, dance, fashion and food. Despite its rich cultural traditions, Botswana's Cultural and Creative Industries have historically contributed modestly to the economy,accounting for only 0.9% of the GDP in 2022, according to the Diagnostic study conducted during the drafting process of the Quadrennial Periodic Report. However, the country's commitment to the UNESCO 2005 Conventionon the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and the insights gained from the Quadrennial Periodic Report offer a promising path to unlock the economic potential of its cultural assets. By supporting the cultural and creative industries in the country, Botswana is promoting their power to stimulate economic growthand strengthen social cohesion. By so doing, the country will achieve a balanced integration of economic, social, and cultural development, thereby promoting sustainable growth and enhancing the well-being of its citizens.

performance

The "Re/shaping cultural policies for creativity" project and government initiatives, coupled with the active involvement of civil society organizations and key stakeholders, have laid the groundwork for the growth of a vibrant culture sector in Botswana. The country's journey towards a vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape is a testament to its commitment to embracing the transformative power of culture through the ratification and implementation of the UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.