Nordic Culture Ministers Emphasize Culture's Role in Societal Resilience at MONDIACULT 2025

Nordic Ministers Convene at Global Cultural Summit

Nordic culture ministers, operating under the Finland and Åland Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers, gathered at the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. The high-level discussions, held from September 29 to October 1, 2025, focused on the pivotal role of culture in fostering societal preparedness and resilience in an increasingly complex global landscape.

The event saw participation from key figures including Mari-Leena Talvitie, Finland's Minister of Science and Culture; Lubna Jaffery, Norway's Minister of Culture and Equality; Karin Svanborg-Sjövall, State Secretary to Sweden's Minister for Culture; and Eirikur í Jákupsstovu, Minister of Social Affairs and Culture of the Faroe Islands. Their presence underscored the Nordic region's commitment to integrating cultural policy into broader security and resilience strategies.

MONDIACULT 2025: Setting the Global Cultural Agenda

MONDIACULT 2025, hosted at the Centre Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB), is recognized as the world's largest cultural policy conference. It serves as a crucial forum for thousands of policymakers and experts to outline the future of cultural policy and advocate for culture as a 'stand-alone' goal within the next United Nations development strategy. The conference agenda encompassed six primary themes: cultural rights, digital technologies in culture, links between culture and education, the economy of culture, culture and climate action, and culture, heritage, and crisis.

Culture as a Pillar of Resilience

A central message from the Nordic delegation was the assertion that 'Culture is resilience.' Ministers emphasized that culture must be at the core of societal responses during times of crisis, acting as a 'lifeline' and a resource for peace. Lubna Jaffery, Norway's Minister of Culture and Equality, stated, 'In times of crisis, it must be at the core of our response. That's why Nordic and international co-operation is essential to protect freedom, identity, and the voices at risk when it matters the most.'

The Finland and Åland Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers for 2025 has prioritized societal security and resilience, highlighting how a strong cultural life, media literacy, and cultural diversity contribute to a resilient society by fostering cohesion, critical thinking, and democratic participation. Mari-Leena Talvitie, Finland's Minister of Science and Culture, noted the importance of discussing these topics in a global forum like MONDIACULT.

Strengthening Nordic and International Cooperation

The discussions also focused on strengthening cooperation within the cultural sector, both regionally and internationally. The Nordic Council of Ministers is actively working to enhance the exchange of experiences in crisis preparedness, aiming to ensure culture remains a cornerstone of democracy and social cohesion. Earlier in 2025, Nordic culture ministers met to prepare a joint initiative to reinforce cross-sector dialogue on culture's role in societal security.

Key areas of focus included:

• The protection of cultural heritage in times of crisis and conflict.
• The safeguarding of artistic freedom and freedom of expression.
• Promoting media literacy and critical thinking.
• Supporting broader Nordic-Baltic cooperation to protect cultural heritage and maintain cultural activities during heightened alert or war, including financial support for Ukrainian artists.

The ministers underscored that cultural heritage and artistic freedom are crucial for building resilient, democratic, and inclusive societies, especially when culture is often targeted during crises.