Does culture shape identity or vice versa? Answers at UNESCO.
I have always been fascinated by the diversity of life, including people, identities, and the unique ways they express themselves. That compelled me to question, research, and experiment. On a quest to decode and comprehend, does culture shape identity, or is it identity that shapes culture? And if personal identity impacts the way in which culture is shaped, how can we actively lead that change?
Integrating into the United Nations mission has expanded my perspective on the challenges and opportunities for the collective of humanity. I worked in teams with multiple cultures, languages, and generations. Each difference was a narrative of the one story of human; a journey towards building peace, which manifested when we processed the COVID-19 pandemic as a single body on this platform.
Engaging with many global leaders, intellectuals, policymakers, and artists have reflected to me that every system, institution, or policy is a human factor - that is subject to fallacy and holds potential for improvement. I perceived that profound development stems from the awareness and connection to self, therefore, to others - leading to effective communication and impactful identity expression that reflects on the development of any collective, system, or policy.
In 2018, I moved to Paris to join the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) - Strategic Planning Department. I was part of the first batch of Saudi international civil servants in the organization, where I confronted my questions on identity, expression, and external misconceptions about our culture. Every misconception loudly echoed our disconnection from sharing our authentic voice, personal narrative, and stories. The following year, a euphoric joy filled me when I witnessed the turning point in leading our narrative and sharing it with the world through creative expression, where I volunteered alongside Saudi youth to introduce our arts and culture at the Saudi Exhibition held at UNESCO in 2019.
During my two years at the organization, I have observed firsthand the soft power of culture in fostering human connection and building synergies toward collective prosperity. I had the opportunity to participate in the 40thGeneral Conference, where 120 ministers and decision-makers from around the world attended as part of the Forum of Ministers of Culture. The forum builds upon the centrality of culture and its impact on sustainable development at the international, regional, and national levels. Throughout this immersive experience, I discovered some profound answers to my questions: Shaping culture begins with the individual. Self-actualization and the expressive capacity of individuals, and thus nations, are critical to the impactful presence that influences change and shapes reality on many scales, including social, economic, and environmental development aspects and policies.
In parallel to my interpersonal self-discovery, the intakes ignited my curiosity to explore the full potential of our human expression, culture, and heritage. I returned home in 2021 to contribute to developing strategies and partnerships that support the cultural ecosystem locally and regionally. Hence, I aim to harness our creative expression to contribute to the implementation of global development policies such as the Sustainable Development Goals.
Being trilingual and working from the perspective of global citizenship and multilateral relations has revealed to me the focal role of the individual in shaping culture. Self-awareness and personal identity expression optimize the individual's state of presence and connectivity, which impact the culture around it. Nonetheless, it expands the comprehension of other identities and cultural diversity.
Today, I am proud of my home country’s efforts to empower and refine the potential and aspirations of its youth. Hence, the sagacious vision to support young leaders in mastering the literacy of change-making. Especially in learning the processes of developing international policy recommendations, which I’m currently acquiring by nomination at the Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Foundation's (Misk) advanced training. I look forward to catalyzing a human-centric culture of leadership stemming from self-knowledge, creative human expression, and connection. Hence, harnessing my passion for human expression and strategic innovation approach to design solutions, systems, and policies that foster a vibrant ecosystem for creativity. En route to vitalizing the creative economy for sustainable development, toward a locally global impact.
-Haifa Altuwaijri is a multidisciplinary artist and cultural strategist. Her creative and innovative approach allows her to design agile facilitation of sustainable development.
In addition to her work experience including UNESCO in Paris and the Ministry of Culture, she obtained certificates in international leadership and communication at the United States, South Korea, and France. Today, Haifa is harnessing her passion for human expression and strategic innovation approach to design solutions, systems, and policies that foster creativity for sustainable development. Hence, catalyzing the creative economy for a locally global impact.
Haifa is nominated by Misk Global as Saudi youth ambassador to vocalize Saudi youth contribution to developing international policy recommendations at high-caliber events such as the UN, G20, and the World Economic Forum.
