Mendoni at the MONDIACULT Conference: “Culture is not a luxury, it is a necessity”

Minister Lina Mendoni highlighted in her interventions on the themes “Culture, Heritage, and Crises” and “Culture and Climate Change” that:
“Culture and cultural heritage are almost always the first victims of a crisis, and at the same time, the last to recover. Armed conflicts, extreme weather events, and natural disasters affect not only human lives and infrastructure but the very core of memory, identity, and social cohesion.”

Greece’s experience with wildfires, floods, and the global health crisis has demonstrated both the vulnerability and resilience of culture. Through national preparedness plans, climate risk mapping, digital documentation, and digital transformation, Greece implements comprehensive policies to protect cultural heritage. The National Plan for Cultural Heritage Resilience to Climate Change, covering over 50 major archaeological sites and landmark monuments, serves as a model of interdisciplinary cooperation between the Ministries of Culture, Climate Crisis, and Civil Protection.

Mendoni stressed that:
“Culture is not a luxury. It is a necessity. It is a human right, a global public good, and a foundation for recovery and peace. By protecting cultural heritage, the wisdom, and practices of the past, we safeguard the dignity, resilience, and future of societies themselves.”

She also emphasized the fight against the illegal trafficking of cultural goods—a global scourge exacerbated during periods of instability. Through enhanced legal frameworks, international cooperation, initiatives, and public awareness, Greece now plays a leading role in combating this phenomenon, which is linked to organized crime and terrorism.

The joint declaration adopted at MONDIACULT confirms the role of culture as a global public good and a fundamental pillar for just, peaceful, and sustainable societies. It stresses that the protection of culture should be integrated into disaster prevention and climate adaptation strategies, invest in the skills of professionals and local communities, and strengthen international solidarity—shifting from reaction to prevention.

Greece, alongside all UNESCO member states, reaffirmed in Barcelona its commitment to ensure that culture is not the first victim of a crisis, but the foundation for resilience, recovery, and sustainable development of countries and societies.