IED Dean Riccardo Balbo at ICCSD under the auspices of UNESCO

Date

30 September 2020

IED Dean Riccardo Balbo at ICCSD Advisory Committee 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is posing great threats to the global economic and social development, to  people’s health and well-being and to the pursuit of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, being part of the UN’s 2030 Agenda.

On occasion on the Second Meeting of the Advisory Committee to the International Center for Creativity and Sustainable Development (ICCSD) under the auspices of UNESCO - on September 25th 2020 - Mr Riccardo Balbo, IED Academic Director, took a speech on the creative industries, which are among ICCSD’s principal focus, that have been gravely affected in terms of loss of jobs and income. However, new technologies and creative practices are emerging and are widely applied, helping to maintain virtual exchanges and collaboration during the period when social distancing is of prime importance.

Online meetings and forums, cloud exhibitions  and performances have become increasingly popular in our lives and in maintaining multilateral  exchanges and knowledge sharing. But for the less advanced countries, the wide use of new technologies may lead to a further widening the gap – a new divide - between rich and poor.

Against this background, how can sustainable development be promoted and what role can innovation and creativity play in such a difficult period? These then were among topics which the ICCSD Advisory Committee discussed. 

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