Latifa bint Mohammed Launches 2024 World Cities Culture Summit in Dubai

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, officially inaugurated the 2024 World Cities Culture Summit in Dubai. This year’s summit, themed ‘Tomorrow’s Culture: How Will the Next Generation Shape Our World?’, marks a significant milestone as it is being held in the MENA region for the first time.

The summit has attracted representatives from over 36 cities worldwide and will run until November 1. It serves as a dynamic platform for the exchange of ideas and expertise, emphasizing the global commitment to enhancing the creative economy, investing in cultural and creative industries, and nurturing talent to shape the future of creative cities.

Expressing pride in Dubai’s role as the first Arab city to host this esteemed event, Sheikha Latifa highlighted the city’s status as a center for culture, innovation, and the creative economy, positioning it as a hub for thought leaders and creatives from around the world. “Today, the world gathers in Dubai to explore culture’s power in shaping the cities of tomorrow and to establish a global framework for cultural policy. This summit reflects Dubai’s bold vision for the future, embodying the ambitions of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to build a sustainable future by embracing creativity and innovation to address challenges. The theme resonates with our commitment to empowering our youth—the leaders of the future. With their ideas, talents, and creative visions, they will forge new paths of excellence and innovation, building a promising tomorrow,” she stated.

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A key highlight of the summit’s opening ceremony was the launch of a global report titled ‘The Future of Education in the Creative Economy’. This report examines the evolving role of education within the cultural and creative industries and underscores the importance of investing in education to create a knowledge-driven economy. Sheikha Latifa emphasized the necessity for an inspiring and innovative ecosystem that empowers youth globally, enabling them to reach their full potential while bolstering the global cultural and creative sectors. “Through this summit, we unite our efforts to elevate youth as the leaders and innovators of tomorrow, aiming to build strong educational foundations that will shape their future. We are proud to launch this report, marking a transformative step in education within the cultural and creative industries, highlighting its crucial role in sustaining the creative economy,” she added.

The summit opened with a spectacular ceremony at the Al Maktoum Residence in Al Shindagha Museum, the UAE’s largest heritage museum. The inaugural event featured a keynote address by Dubai Abulhoul, an Emirati author and Rhodes scholar, who shared her insights on the significance of cultural storytelling in addressing contemporary challenges. Her inspiring message encouraged attendees to perceive culture as a transformative tool capable of bridging generational and ideological divides.

Justine Simons OBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, as well as Founder and Chair of the World Cities Culture Forum, noted, “The World Cities Culture Summit is shaping the future of our cities through culture. Hosted in Dubai for the first time, we have focused on the role young people can play in designing our future. As we look forward, cities must address the climate crisis, create good quality jobs, build cohesive communities, and grow economies. Leaders from across the globe are working together to tackle these challenges and unlock the transformative power of culture for all.”

On the summit’s first day, various sessions were held under the theme ‘People, Places, and Planet’ across heritage houses within Al Shindagha Museum, including the Perfume House and Traditional Crafts House. The opening session, ‘The Next Generation in Action’, discussed how cities can inspire youth to engage with culture and advocate for cultural heritage in their communities. Another session, ‘Culture: Keeping Hope Alive in a Changing Climate’, explored culture’s role in fostering innovative solutions to environmental challenges and showcased how the arts can inspire climate-positive action.

Additionally, the session ‘Global Innovations for Creative Spaces’ highlighted strategies for affordable spaces amid rising living costs. The discussion ‘African Cities, Global Voices’ showcased African cities as innovation hubs, emphasizing community-driven creativity’s transformative impact both locally and globally. Another session, ‘24-Hour Culture: Designing the Night’, addressed inclusive nighttime economies, showcasing initiatives like night markets and light festivals that invigorate urban spaces after dark. The final session, ‘Culture: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once?’, explored new models of cultural engagement, emphasizing partnerships with Indigenous communities and embedding culture within neighborhoods.

The summit also launched the third round of the ‘Leadership Exchange Programme’, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, aimed at fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among cities. Dubai’s proactive approach made a significant impact on the summit, as it was the first time the host city’s task force actively participated in programming, underscoring the importance of local-global collaboration in shaping future urban cultural policies.

Moreover, Dubai introduced a pioneering summit archive, a first-of-its-kind initiative that documents discussions and insights in a comprehensive report, ensuring the longevity of best practices and ideas. A new sustainability report was also unveiled, which integrates environmental considerations into the cultural agenda, thereby strengthening cultural initiatives' role in driving climate-positive action. The summit launched a policy accelerator focused on enhancing nighttime cultural activities to contribute to urban economic growth.

Extending the summit's reach, Dubai Culture is set to host a public session at Alserkal Avenue on October 31 titled ‘Tomorrow’s Talent: What Do Creatives Need from Cities?’. This session aims to inspire talents and community members to exchange ideas with experts and leaders regarding affordable workspaces, innovative education, and how cities can support creatives in a rapidly changing environment.

The summit’s extraordinary edition was marked by a remarkable opening ceremony led by Emirati writer Shamma Al Bastaki and Oud player Seif Ahmed Al Ali, celebrating the UAE’s rich heritage and diverse landscapes. The ceremony highlighted Dubai as a dynamic hub for entrepreneurs, investors, thinkers, and creatives, featuring live performances that showcased local craftsmanship, including Al Sadu weaving, pottery, embroidery, pearl diving, and fishing net making, alongside artistic displays that reflect Dubai’s unique creative landscape.

In supporting and empowering local talent, Dubai Culture spotlighted Emirati creatives like Chef Meera Al Naqbi and twin chefs Abdulrahman and Maitha Al Hashmi, whose culinary creations enlivened the opening day, reflecting Dubai Culture’s mission to inspire talent and showcase Emirati creativity to diverse audiences.

The World Cities Culture Summit is the flagship event of the World Cities Culture Forum, recognized as the leading network for cultural policymaking. The forum facilitates city leaders' collaboration in sharing research and intelligence while exploring culture's vital role in social and economic development. With over 45 member cities worldwide, the summit connects a diverse network of Deputy Mayors, Culture Commissioners, and city leaders, providing a unique platform to exchange ideas and collaborate on enhancing the quality of life for citizens through culture. Over half of previous attendees have implemented or improved a cultural policy in their city as a direct outcome of attending the summit, showcasing its impactful influence on urban cultural strategies.

Oct. 31, 2024 10:17 a.m. 332

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