culture

Glasgow has been declared a City of Music by the United Nations culture agency, joining its neighbour Edinburgh on its Creative Cities Network, established to promote social, economic and cultural development.

A United Nations-backed fund to help the States of sub-Saharan Africa improve the preservation of their cultural and natural heritage was launched today in South Africa, which donated $3.5 million to help the project, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to change the course of a Siberian oil pipeline to eliminate risk to the UN World Heritage site of Lake Baikal, the world's oldest and deepest lake containing 20 per cent of Earth's surface fresh water.

Three countries - the United Kingdom, United States and China - produced 40 per cent of the world’s cultural trade products in 2002, such as books, compact disks, videogames and sculptures, while Latin America and Africa together accounted for less than 4 per cent, according to a new United Nations report.

A prominent writer and researcher on the history of relations between Christendom and Islam has been named by Secretary-General Kofi Annan as the director of a new United Nation initiative to foster respect and dialogue among cultures.

With 20 countries already ratifying a treaty to protect the world’s oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, craftsmanship and knowledge of nature, the so-called Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is on track to enter into force next year, according to the latest United Nations update.

A three millennium-old Phoenician inscription from Lebanon, a 6th century Albanian codex, medieval manuscripts on medicine and pharmacy from Azerbaijan, and Austrian Gothic architectural drawings are among 29 documentary collections in 24 countries newly earmarked for United Nations help in preservation.

A treaty to protect the world’s oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, craftsmanship and knowledge of nature is on track to enter into force next year following a slew of new ratifications, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said today.

With African rock art providing one of the oldest and most extensive records on Earth of human thought, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called on the continent’s leaders to play a more active role in saving a priceless cultural heritage of all humankind that is under severe threat, above all from neglect and thieves.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today urged donor nations to start immediate work on restoring and preserving the remainders of Iraqi cultural heritage following looting and damage that occurred during and after the recent war.