Lina Mendoni at UNESCO: Culture is a Human Right, Not a Luxury

The UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development, MONDIACULT 2025, opened in Barcelona on September 29, bringing together delegations from over 160 UNESCO member states, international organizations, and civil society representatives. Greece, led by Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, played a prominent role, emphasizing culture’s vital role in addressing global challenges.

Speaking at the conference’s key sessions on “Culture, Heritage, and Crises” and “Culture and Climate Change,” Mendoni underscored the vulnerability of cultural heritage in times of crisis. “Culture and heritage are often the first victims of crises, yet they are the last to recover,” she said, highlighting the devastating impact of armed conflicts, extreme weather, and natural disasters on human lives, infrastructure, and the core of collective memory, identity, and social cohesion.

Drawing on Greece’s experience with wildfires, floods, and the global health crisis, Mendoni showcased the country’s resilience through comprehensive policies. These include national preparedness plans, climate risk mapping, digital documentation, and digital transformation. Greece’s National Plan for the Resilience of Cultural Heritage Against Climate Change, covering over 50 major archaeological sites and iconic monuments, was presented as a model of interdisciplinary collaboration between the Ministries of Culture and Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.

Mendoni passionately declared, “Culture is not a luxury. It is a necessity, a human right, a global public good, and a foundation for recovery and peace. By protecting cultural heritage, the wisdom, and practices of the past, we ensure the dignity, resilience, and future of societies.”

The Greek Minister also emphasized the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural goods, a global issue exacerbated during instability. Through strengthened legal frameworks, international cooperation, and public awareness, Greece has emerged as a leader in combating this crime, often linked to organized crime and terrorism.

The conference concluded with a joint declaration affirming culture as a global public good and a cornerstone for just, peaceful, and sustainable societies. It called for integrating cultural protection into disaster prevention and climate adaptation strategies, investing in professionals and local communities, and fostering international solidarity to shift from reaction to prevention. Greece, alongside other UNESCO member states, reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring culture is not the first casualty of crises but a foundation for resilience, recovery, and sustainable development.

(Source: Greek Ministry of Culture)