Culture Matters - Art and culture are fundamental drivers for sustainable development

A woman is standing in front of a coloured wall. She is holding a stencil in the shape of a face, which she leans against the wall to paint through the cutouts. — A woman paints on a wall at the Nafasi Art Space in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. © Nafasi Art Space, Tanzania

Switzerland promotes independent, diverse, and participatory cultural sectors in its partner countries as an important contribution to sustainable development, democratic participation, conflict prevention and peace. Art and culture, in particular, provide spaces for critical debates and peaceful dialogues.

The 2024 Thematic Guidance on Culture and Development published by the SDC highlights the importance of supporting art and culture in international cooperation. Cultural rights are human rights. A vibrant and independent cultural sector is an engine for social change, promoting freedom of expression, and democratic participation, and forming the foundation of a strong civil society.

Art and culture provide an inclusive space for dialogue and democratic participation, bringing together people from various cultural, political and ethnic backgrounds to engage peacefully and creatively. They promote the exchange of ideas and open debate about differences, thereby making a significant contribution to mutual understanding and tolerance, thus contributing to trust-building and social cohesion. Art and culture are also important economic factors, as the creative industry is one of the most dynamic sectors worldwide.

The SDC's cultural commitment includes the ‘cultural percentage’ in partner countries, where each SDC representation invests at least 1% of its budget in arts and culture. In addition, the SDC forms partnerships with cultural institutions in Switzerland. These platforms enable artists from partner countries to access the cultural market, pursue further education and engage with the public. This strengthens the cultural sectors in their countries of origin. In 2024, the portfolio of partnerships in Switzerland has been streamlined and now focuses on film.