In 1994, Liechtenstein joined the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The country first set internationally binding targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, then in 2015 under the Paris Climate Agreement. Since climate policy has been gathering pace at the international and European levels, Liechtenstein has also been increasingly concerned with the design of strategies and measures to protect the climate. These are set out in the “Energy Strategy 2030” and the “Energy Vision 2050”. So far, culture has not played any role in concepts and explanations of sustainability. Even sustainable standards in cultural institutions have not been discussed so far.
To mark Liechtenstein’s 300th anniversary, the government published a report on “Sustainability in Liechtenstein” in 2019 (see 2.1). From the report: “For many years, Liechtenstein has been implementing targeted measures for sustainable economic growth, the careful use of natural resources, the preservation of nature and the landscape, as well as for a peaceful, just and inclusive society, and the guarantee of a well-functioning constitutional state.”
One issue related to the UN 2030 Agenda is to ensure inclusive, equal and quality education, as formulated in the Education Strategy 2025plus (see 2.1 and 2.5.2). The introduction of the subject “Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)” is intended to contribute to raising children’s awareness of sustainable development starting in primary school. Seven cross-curricular aspects are addressed: Politics, democracy and human rights; natural environment and resources; gender and equality; health; global development and peace; cultural identities and intercultural understanding; economy and consumption.
In autumn 2020, artists challenged the man-made age with an exhibition at the Liechtenstein Art Museum. Titled “Parliament of Plants”, they gave a voice to the plants to which our own thoughts are deeply connected. In an online lecture in cooperation with the arts programme (artsprogram”) of Zeppelin University (ZU), the curator of the art museum explained the paradigm shift in viewing the plant world. Zeppelin University in Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance exemplifies interdisciplinarity between business, culture and politics. The artsprogram invites artists, scientists and students to a public dialogue on socially relevant topics.
The Liechtenstein School of Fine Arts sees itself as a centre of excellence for art, design and innovation and focuses on a wide-ranging exploration of sustainability. Its aim is to minimise the underestimated role of visual communication, design and art in society.
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