Data remains crucial for culture in supporting economic growth and measuring its true impact.

This sentiment was shared by speakers at the opening of the workshop for the UNESCO Culture 2030 Indicators held in Windhoek.

Under the EU-funded programme "Advancing Evidence-Based Policies and Actions to Enhance Creative Sectors' Contribution to Sustainable Development", Namibia is strengthening culture's role in sustainable development.

 A two-day workshop will introduce national and local stakeholders to the UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators methodology. 

Participants will take part in exercises on data mapping, work plan development and policy reviews. 

A key challenge discussed was the lack of reliable data to fully capture culture's impact, which remains undervalued in development planning. 

The Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Dino Ballotti, emphasised the indicators as a vital tool to measure and showcase culture's contributions, including arts, creative industries and heritage towards the 2030 Agenda.

The initiative will enhance data collection, promote community engagement and encourage policymakers to include culture in their development strategies.

It also seeks to mobilise public and private resources to support the growth and sustainability of the cultural and creative sectors.