Kansas City to Host National Conference Highlighting U.S. Return to UNESCO

Kansas City to Host National Conference Celebrating U.S. Rejoining United Nations

As a tremendous honor to the city’s diverse cultural background and vibrant music scene, Kansas City has announced it will host a national conference celebrating the United States’ return to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The conference, scheduled from June 18th to 20th, aims to explore and discuss the ways in which this pivotal return can benefit the city’s rapid growth and progress.

A Historic Event for a Historic City

The convening is being organized by Creative City KC, a group known for its devout efforts towards acknowledging and promoting local arts and culture. In 2017, the collective worked tirelessly and succeeded in having Kansas City recognized as a UNESCO Creative City for Music, thanks to Kansas City’s rich jazz heritage. Creative City KC, along with UNESCO, aims to generate economic growth around the city’s jazz culture by fostering local artists and enhancing jazz-related tourism in the city.

However, this progressive move came to a sudden halt when the United States, under the Trump administration’s directive, discontinued its association with UNESCO. The withdrawal was fueled by allegations of the body’s bias against Israel. In a drastic turn of events, the U.S. was readmitted to UNESCO following the approval of the Biden Administration’s appeal for reentry by the body’s 193 member countries.

Return to UNESCO: A Milestone Celebration

The “Return to UNESCO” national conference presents an exceptional opportunity for artists, educators, creative professionals, and civic leaders. The event promises insightful discussions, exciting networking sessions and, of course, a taste of Kansas City’s beloved jazz music. Although the conference is free, registration by June 11th is mandatory.

Event Schedule

• June 18: Commencement Ceremony at Harry S. Truman Presidential Library. Includes a 5 p.m. dinner followed by a reception at 6 p.m.
• June 19: A comprehensive day filled with open-forum panel discussions at UMKC from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Speakers will feature representatives from the U.S. State Department and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. A dinner and jazz concert will follow the forum.
• June 19: “Journey of Jazz,” a free concert at UMKC’s White Recital Hall at 6 p.m. The performance will chronologically portray the history of jazz, starting from its humble beginnings to its evolution into Bebop and modern-day trends.
• June 20: An engaging discussion about future endeavours and an optional tour.

Anita Dixon-Brown, Creative City KC’s Executive Director, expressed her excitement about the occasion, saying, “We are pleased to be the first in the UNESCO network to welcome our nation back into the largest cultural organization in the world. This conference will educate participants about the importance of the United States’ international cultural arts and world heritage presence and celebrate our country’s diverse legacy and creativity.”