KUCHING, July 11: The open forum for the Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN) Kuching is attracting interest from a diverse range of key creative stakeholders across the city, with the event set to take place on July 13 at the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Community Hall from 8am to 12.30pm.
According to a press statement issued today by UCCN Kuching, the half-day open forum has attracted interest from all points along the gastronomic and creative food chain, from agriculture to education.
The forum, which will be officiated at by MBKS mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, who is also spearheading the city’s membership in the network, aims to tap into the collective knowledge and experience of the city’s talented gastronomy and creative players so that the UCCN programme can be tailored to their needs in the future.
Wee stated in the press statement that they are heartened by the engagement so far, and that they already have 80 opinion makers registered, and are still seeking more.
“Those Kuching stakeholders who are holding back until the last minute still have a chance to register.
“Even if they just turn up on the day, we will welcome them.
“We want to make sure that this forum and any solutions that it comes up with are a true reflection of the breadth of our gastronomic and creative communities,” he noted.
Meanwhile, UCCN Kuching strategic director Karen Shepherd disclosed that the participants will be asked to share their perspectives on Kuching’s strengths as well as the challenges that the creative sector in gastronomy is facing.
“Our participants will also be given a chance to propose the kind of activities and support that they would like to see going forward.
“We want to hear ideas on how the UCCN can support growth in the creative economy, academic and scientific research in food, coverage and awareness of our food culture in a variety of media, preservation of our unique cultural identity, and creativity in its expression, among many other things,” she said.
Wee highlighted the panel of facilitators as exemplifying the kind of representation they are looking for.
“They are drawn from the very fields in which they are guiding the discussion, a reflection of the kind of public/private partnership that we want to see in the UCCN project going forward.
“We are welcoming Dr Elexson Gillian from Unimas (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak) on ‘Academic and Scientific Research’, Emily Yii of Kantin at The Granary on ‘Communications’, Chef Achang Libat and Tuson Chong of Gypsy Badger and Gardencraft Co on ‘Creative Economy’, Datin Dona Drury-Wee of Culinary Heritage and Arts Society Sarawak (CHASS) on ‘Cultural Identity’, Jaqueline Fong of Tanoti Foods on ‘Economic Development’, Associate Professor Christopher Wan Sageng of UCSI University on ‘Education’, Marian Chin of LifeSpanTree on ‘Food Security and Food Justice’, Karen Shepherd on ‘Policies’, Andre Kho and Melissa Kung of Naked Wonders on ‘Sustainability’, Dr Susie Lim from the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts on ‘Tourism’, and Margarita Naming and Arlene Alicia Toaiang of Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) on ‘Traditional Knowledge’,” he added.
The mayor pointed out that the facilitators are not only experts in their respective fields, but they also face the same issues as everyone else in their daily working lives.
“With the support and expertise of the city councils behind this project, we are expanding our reach.
“Now, we want to pool our talents and resources to find a city-wide way forward.
“If this project is to serve the needs of the whole city, then we must hear from you,” he asserted.
To register for the forum, go to https://forms.gle/ck4bbEZ4WcjxFxxZ7, or visit www.kuchingcreativecity.com to access the form.
For more information, please contact uccnkuching@kuchingcreativecity.com. — DayakDaily
