September 8-10, 2026 | UCLG ASPAC, under the framework of the UCLG ASPAC Culture Committee, led by the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, facilitated the participation of cities and local governments in a workshop on “Cultivating Sustainable Communities through Cultural Assets” in Jeju, Republic of Korea, organised by the International Peace Foundation. A total of 14 participants from seven countries across the Asia-Pacific region took part in the workshop, including representatives from UCLG ASPAC member cities such as Banda Aceh, Baguio, and Kendari.
Throughout the three-day workshop, speakers, including a representative from the UCLG ASPAC Secretariat, shared their expertise on how content and public administration can contribute to rediscovering and promoting local culture, community-based tourism, integrating culture into local policies, and developing culture indicators.
The workshop also included a field experience at the Sehwa Village and Haenyeo’s Kitchen. Sehwa Village was selected as “Best Tourism Village” by the UN World Tourism Organization in 2023. They showcased community-led initiatives that preserve traditions and revitalise local economies. Haenyeo’s Kitchen offered a unique dining experience with a performance on the life story of a haenyeo (women divers) and a menu using local ingredients.
The UCLG ASPAC Culture Committee was established in 2015 by the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province to promote culture as the fourth pillar of sustainable development in Asia-Pacific cities and local governments. The committee focuses on five major themes of Agenda 21 for Culture, namely: 1) heritage, diversity, and creativity; 2) culture and environment; 3) culture and economy; 4) culture, urban planning, and public space; and 5) governance of culture.
