BRAC and UNESCO have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance Bangladesh’s creative economy, focusing on film, cultural tourism and heritage.
BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh and UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh Dr Susan Vize signed the agreement at BRAC Centre in Dhaka on Thursday.
Saleh said the partnership would help develop a national strategy and roadmap for the creative economy, generate jobs and support people working informally in the sector. He highlighted BRAC’s initiatives, including Aarong’s work with artisans, its popular theatre programme and community-based tourism initiative Otithi.
Vize said Bangladesh’s cultural heritage and creativity could improve livelihoods for craftspeople, dancers, chefs and others.
The partnership will assess the existing creative ecosystem, identify gaps and priorities, and outline short-, medium- and long-term measures for growth.
Its focus will include film and audio-visual industries, cultural and community-based tourism, film festivals and heritage. The organisations will also explore establishing a national Creative Cities Network and examine the possibility of Dhaka joining UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, which promotes creativity and cultural industries for sustainable urban development.
The initiative aims to expand economic opportunities, strengthen creative industries and safeguard Bangladesh’s cultural heritage.