The 6th edition of the International Award UCLG – Mexico City – Culture 21 aimed to celebrate the work of cities, local or regional governments, and leading individuals who promoted innovative practices linked to the exercise of cultural rights, citizenship, and sustainable development. From November 29, 2023 to April 3, 2024, 87 candidacies from cities, and local and regional governments around the world were submitted, 12 of which were from the Asia-Pacific region, namely: Busan, Catbalogan, Gwanak-Gu, Goyang, Iloilo, Jakarta, Kanazawa, Makati, Ngada Regency, Padang, Toyooka, and Xi’an.
The winners of the 6th edition of the International Award UCLG – Mexico City – Culture 21 in the “City, Local or Regional Government” category were Gwanak-Gu and La Paz. Gwanak-Gu’s “Capital of Youth Culture” project aimed to actively engage the youth in the local community and public policy process and to enhance the cultural rights of young people. In the “Individual” category, the winners were Milena Dragićević Šešić and Alfons Martinell Sempere. Xi’an was one of the six cities that received Special Mentions, including Bilbao, Brazzaville, Esch-sur-Alzette, Novi Sad, and Ramallah. Xi’an’s “Culture for All Policies” project aimed to achieve cultural accessibility, cultural dissemination, and cultural equity.
The Award Ceremony was held in Mexico on July 25, 2024, as part of the International Seminar on Cultural Innovation and Prospects for Cities and Territories.
