G20 CWG Cultural Projects

As Bharat assumed the G20 Presidency, the overarching theme of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' became the guiding principle for global engagement and initiatives. The G20 Culture Working Group (CWG) under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, sought inspiration from this simple yet powerful philosophy to develop a diverse range of collaborative international projects with the G20 members and invitee countries to represent the varied cultural expressions of humanity. Over the course of the year, a robust calendar of exhibitions, immersive experiences, performances, seminars, workshops, and publications was developed to engage with the CWG priorities in depth and more meaningfully. At its core, all these projects positioned the CWG’s hallmark campaign ‘Culture Unites All’ to reiterate the immense potential of ‘culture’ to unite people and communities and foster multilateralism, mutual respect and understanding.

‘CULTURE UNITES ALL’ CAMPAIGN

The theme of India’s G20 Presidency ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’or ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad, affirmed the value of all life – human, animal, plant, and microorganisms – and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe. India’s G20 theme also spotlighted LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) with its associated environmentally sustainable and responsible choices, both at the level of individual lifestyles and national development. Befittingly, the G20 Culture Working Group was predicated on ‘Culture for LiFE’, as an initiative for an environment-conscious lifestyle and a concerted action towards sustainability.

The Culture Working Group under India’s G20 Presidency launched ‘Culture Unites All’ as a campaign to highlight India’s unwavering belief in multilateralism based on peaceful coexistence among diverse cultures and communities. In today’s interconnected world, culture plays a crucial role in driving collaborative outcomes, and promotes inclusivity and harmonious living.

‘Culture Unites All’ celebrated varied and dynamic cultural expressionsof humankind. Culture, in all its manifestations, has the potential to transcend boundaries, foster connections and inspire genuine dialogue and understanding among individuals, communities, and nations.

‘Culture Unites All’ was a conscious step towards recognizing the resonances andcommonalities of different cultures across space and time. The Indian custom of folding hands, joining the palms, and greeting one another with Namaste – that ‘the divine in me recognizes and bows to the divine in you’ – exemplifies this powerful belief of mutual respect, compassion and tolerance.

Culture provides pathways to collaborate and develop balanced solutions for contemporary global challenges of health, social inclusion, climate change and economic growth. Encapsulating the essence of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, the message of ‘Culture Unites All’ embodied a holistic vision to work towards a collective sustainable future and universal well-being.

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