The Chief Minister of Delhi is set for a globally significant appointment – representing both Delhi and India at the upcoming World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF). While the date of this year’s annual summit has yet to be disclosed on the official website, the anticipation surrounding it continues to grow.
World Cities Culture Forum: An Overview
The WCCF was first established in London in 2012. What began as a coterie of eight cities has now grown to encompass 43 member cities worldwide. The list includes heavyweights like London, Hong Kong, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Lisbon, San Francisco, and Shanghai. This year, an invitation has been extended to Delhi, a city which, though not a part of the permanent member cities list, holds significant cultural relevance.
The Role of WCCF
The WCCF plays a fundamental role in fostering intellectual exchange among the policy makers of its member cities. Through the sharing of research findings and important data, the forum explores the critical role culture plays in shaping the future prosperity of cities.
The Administration of WCCF
The task of organising and delivering the activities of the WCCF rests with BOP Consulting, a consultancy firm specialising in cultural strategy. Working on behalf of the Greater London Authority, London’s Municipal Government, BOP conducts comparative research to gauge the impact and importance of culture and creativity. The findings are shared with the Forum, providing a solid base for evidence-backed policy decisions.
World Cities Culture Summit
An essential part of the WCCF’s work involves hosting a programme of events that include themed symposia, regional summits, and workshops. These events feed into the annual World Cities Culture Summit. The Summit rotates among member cities, providing a platform for city leaders to discuss and share ideas about the role of culture in creating a sustainable future city. This unique gathering is attended by Deputy Mayors for Culture and Heads of Culture from the member cities.
The Annual Theme
Each year, the WCCF operates under a distinctive theme. For 2021, it is “The Future of Culture.” This theme underscores the Forum’s intrinsic belief in culture as a pivot around which the sustainable city of the future is going to evolve.
World Cities Culture Report
Delhi’s participation in the WCCF also implies its inclusion in the World Cities Culture Report. Published every three years by the forum, this report forms the most comprehensive global dataset on culture in cities. It includes data and information on innovative projects running in cities worldwide. The last report was published in 2018.
While we await further details on the annual summit’s date, Delhi prepares to step onto the global stage and contribute to a platform that values culture as an integral element in shaping our cities’ future prosperity.