Promoting Sustainable Development through International Collaborations

Abstract

Culture is a driver of sustainable development that UNESCO and the world's cities have acknowledged. The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) is a platform that gathers and coordinates cities to adopt cultural elements into their local development, transforming culture into creativity that leads to economic growth. Being labeled as the Creative City of Literature, Jakarta, just like other members of the UCCN, is to demonstrate a steadfast commitment to promote culture-based sustainable development, through various programs, one of which is international cooperation. This study aimed to describe the initiatives of international collaborations taken by the city under the framework of the UCCN, employing a qualitative research method with a case study model and a descriptive analysis. The findings show that Jakarta’s international collaborations took shape in three models: hosting international events at home, conducting a joint program with another UCCN member, and participating in international forums overseas. This study offers a perspective that cities in the Global South, rich in cultural heritages, conduct international collaborations as a sign of compliance with the norm of sustainability, strengthening identity within the transnational network mechanism.