MONDIACULT is the world’s biggest cultural policy conference, bringing together thousands of participants to set the global agenda for culture in the years ahead.
Hosted by the Government of Spain, the 2025 edition runs from 29 September – 1 October and focuses on six themes around the challenges and opportunities for the future of culture: cultural rights; digital technologies in the culture sector; culture and education; economy of culture; culture and climate action; and culture, heritage and crisis.
We are working with partners on two events during MONDIACULT which explore and strengthen understanding on the vital role of the arts, culture and heritage in enabling and driving sustainable development.
On this page you'll find information about the events we're presenting at the conference. The events are open to those with accreditation to attend MONDIACULT 2025.
Inclusive and Sustainable Futures: Cultural Heritage, Climate Action and Digital Technology
Wednesday 1 October 2025, 08:30 – 09:30
Barcelona International Convention Center (CCIB), Room 131 – 132
Organised by the British Council and the United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO.
The discussion will be held in English. A recording with Spanish subtitles will be made available after MONDIACULT.
What is the role of cultural heritage and digital technology in shaping an inclusive and sustainable future?
Urgent international cooperation is needed to tackle the climate emergency and its impact on cultural heritage. There also remains significant untapped potential to strengthen community resilience and support climate solutions through cultural heritage approaches, harnessing traditional knowledge to promote stewardship and community ownership. Advancements in digital technology provide further opportunities for innovation and imagination.
Despite overlaps across climate responses, cultural heritage, and digital technology, discourses surrounding the UN’s 2030 agenda rarely bring these three sectors together.
This session addresses this gap. Building on the UN’s Pact for the Future and Global Digital Compact, experts will trace the Mondiacult journey from Mexico to Spain and launch two landmark British Council research reports: the Atlas for Cultural Policies in Ibero-America: Climate, Culture, and Heritage and Digital Cultural Heritage: Imagination, innovation and opportunity.
Panellists
Marcele Oliveira – Presidency Youth Climate Champion for COP30
Marcele Oliveira, 26, is the Presidency Youth Climate Champion for COP30, a cultural producer, communicator, and climate activist. She is the Master of Ceremonies at Circo Voador and the Executive Director of Perifalab, as well as a co-founder of the Coalition "O Clima é de Mudança" and a Youth Climate Negotiator for the Rio de Janeiro Secretariat of Environment and Climate. Her research focuses on the intersection between cultural practices and combating the consequences of climate change in marginalized communities, with an emphasis on adaptation and climate education. Her work is featured in the "Cultura e Clima" study by C de Cultura and Outra Onda Conteúdo.
Maria Garcia Holley – Regional Arts Director, Americas, British Council
With over 14 years of experience, María García Holley leads diverse cultural and development initiatives across Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, the Caribbean, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. In this role, María leads cross-regional collaborations to advance the cultural sector in LATAC and advocates for inclusive policies that enhance access to cultural and creative opportunities. María's expertise has been recognized with distinctions as the first Mexican fellow in the Clore Leadership Programme, a Chevening Scholar, and a member of the Inter-American Development Bank’s Creative Economy expert group, where she analysed and foresaw the pandemic's impacts on the cultural sector.
Prof. Mererid Hopwood – poet and lyricist; Archdruid of National Eisteddfod of Wales
Mererid Hopwood is an award-winning poet, lyricist, translator and Professor of Welsh and Celtic Studies at University of Aberystwyth. She is Archdderwydd Cymru (the Archdruid of Wales) and Secretary of Academi Heddwch Cymru (Wales’s national peace institute). Mererid is also Patron of Gwrando (Listening) Programme, Wales’s programme as part of the UN Decade of Indigenous Languages.
Mutanu Kyany’a – Head of Programs and Outreach, African Digital Heritage
Mutanu Kyany'a is a digital heritage practitioner who develops community-led approaches to preserving and promoting African culture and histories. She is Head of Programs at African Digital Heritage, where for six years she has led initiatives that use technology to strengthen cultural memory. Her work has increased local involvement in heritage documentation, supported global recognition of historic sites, revived cultural spaces once suppressed, and expanded access to archives that present African histories in inclusive ways. Trained in Community Development and Computer Science, Mutanu brings both people-centered thinking and technical expertise to ensure digital heritage reflects lived experiences and strengthens cultural continuity on the continent.
Cultural Rights Now: Voices at Risk, Access in Action
Wednesday 1 October, 1:30pm – 2:30pm | Barcelona International Convention Center (CCIB)
The discussion will be held in English.
We are delighted to be partnering with Artists at Risk Connection, EBA - Europe Beyond Access and the Diputació de Barcelona on a side event that will underscore persisting challenges to advancing cultural rights and the inclusive approaches taken by organisations and practitioners to centre marginalised voices in such discussions.
In partnership with
Dates:
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Tags:
- Theme: Climate & Sustainability Heritage
- Art Form: Culture and Global Challenges