The University of Warwick celebrates 60th and completing the first milestone of UNESCO Cultural Indicators 2030 project

The University of Warwick has celebrated completing the first milestone of the UNESCO Cultural 2030 Indicators project by bringing together key partners to discuss how the expertise and partnerships built through the project could be expanded for the wider benefit of Coventry. 

Since 2015, Warwick has partnered with Coventry City Council (CCC) to champion data-led, evidence-based decision-making.  Most recently, Coventry was recognised by UNESCO as the only UK city to implement the UNESCO Cultural Indicators 2030 project through which Coventry is pioneering new ways to measure the value of culture against the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UNESCO chose the city of Coventry and Warwick Business School to participate in its global project to highlight the role of culture in building a sustainable future for the planet.

Mark Scott, Research Fellow at WBS who worked on the project is a leading place and culture data expert said:

“The UNESCO project encompassed a range of thematic indicators that assess various aspects of cultural impact, from heritage preservation to cultural participation and education. The inclusion of the City of Coventry and WBS in this project not only reinforced the city’s reputation for cultural leadership but also highlighted Warwick Business School’s commitment to leveraging research and data to drive impactful global change”.

The workshop and dinner on 23 June were convened by the Regional Strategy and Partnerships team as part of the University’s 60th anniversary celebrations to bring together key city officers and close partners with representatives from the University, UNESCO and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to discuss the role of cultural indicators in driving change, particularly in improving public health, reducing inequalities and regenerating communities.

Jonathan Neelands, Academic Director for Cultural Partnerships and Professor of Creative Education, Warwick Business School said:

“Participation in the UNESCO project gave Coventry a rare and powerful data advantage — one that can shape more inclusive, sustainable, and impactful policies.

We held this event not only to celebrate the end of a successful project but to bring together key partners to discuss the role of cultural indicators in driving change in the city of Coventry going forward”.