Introducing the City of Literature Office
ABOUT US
Launched in 2014, Melbourne UNESCO City of Literature Office’s role is to connect Melbourne to the UNESCO network and use the benefits of its membership to aid the literary sector in Melbourne (and across Victoria).
Aligned with the UNESCO Creative Cities Network’s goals, the Office is the focal point for communications and reporting to UNESCO. The Office works with organisations to build capacity, make international connections and amplify Melbourne’s designation as a City of Literature.
Hosted by The Wheeler Centre and the State Library of Victoria, the Melbourne UNESCO City of Literature Office is a joint initiative of Creative Victoria and City of Melbourne. The Office facilitates a range of initiatives with collaboration and connection in mind. Explore some of our past initiatives below:
- 20 Minute Cities (Digital Writers Festival/Emerging Writers Festival)
- Between the Lines
- Expedition Poetry (with Heidelberg City of Literature)
- Green House
- International Literary Programmers Roundtable
- Lit Map of Melbourne
- Parallel Panels (with Bucheon City of Literature)
- Poet Laureates of Melbourne
- Reading the City of Literature
- Slam-O-Vision
- Sleipnir travels (with Reykjavik City of Literature)
- The Stories We tell Ourselves (with Spread the Word and The Wheeler Centre)
- Tramlines
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Melbourne City of Literature Office news alert to be notified of upcoming initiatives.
Fostering Freedom of Expression
UNESCO is mandated to protect and promote freedom of expression, both online and offline. Its Constitution calls on Member States to advance mutual knowledge and understanding between peoples through the “free flow of ideas by word and image.”
The Melbourne UNESCO City of Literature Office works closely with PEN Melbourne and supports the work of International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN)