Abstract

This article draws upon the experience of the «culture2015goal» campaign, which advocated a stronger place for culture in the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the initiative, and describes the reasons for what may be termed the «failure» of the advocacy campaign. The author agrees that in the framework of intergovernmental relations, culture should play a more important role in the area of cooperation with for development, and that the cultural sector should have a stronger voice and impact in the shaping of operational programs. The article calls for a structured approach from the cultural sector within the intergovernmental cooperation system, based on lessons learned during the two years leading up to the Agenda's 'Sustainable Development Goals'. It also highlights that the European Union is in a privileged position to play a key role in cooperation both for development and for external relations, with culture playing a prominent role in both.