Cyberkaris is the monthly electronic newsletter of the Interarts Foundation for all those interested in news and happenings in the field of international cultural policies and cultural cooperation.

Go beyond social cohesion

In the last years the concept of “social cohesion” has, in an almost imperceptible way, been installing itself at the heart of contemporary policies. Not only of local, regional and state policies but also in the policies of the European Union as well as in the external relations and cooperation policies of the Union with other regions of the world.

Social cohesion is, without doubt, rooted in a Lutheran vision of the world, based on an intense spirit of community sharing and cooperation which gives priority, over all others, to the principles of solidarity and collaboration, beyond the reality of inequality and difference. Those who integrate a cohesive society know each other and recognize each other but also participate of the collective project notwithstanding the social or economic position they hold. Nevertheless, social cohesion is not a universal principle – indeed, it does not fit in traditions which are little or not at all community based. It does not constitute an intrinsic positive category – emblem of cohesion, the sheaf of wheat, is only one of the examples of the symbols of the most forceful totalitarian systems of the XXth century and does not live comfortably alongside other preexisting concepts, such as those of “development” and wellbeing.

Social cohesion can be a necessary precondition for development; but it is not, in any case, a sufficient condition for it. In places where the welfare society is still an unresolved matter or, worse still, an illusion or a utopia, betting for a more cohesive society can be counterproductive in consolidating the gaps and the social and economic disparity.

It is therefore necessary to “go beyond” social cohesion; and this, also in the field of policies for culture. It is useful to remember, here, the words of the founder of Interarts, Eduard Delgado, who, in one of his latest texts, considered that “cultural security” should be a key element for social cohesion in any of the so-called knowledge societies, even though, paradoxically, it would have in the notion of “recognition” one of its most notorious fragilities.

Eduard Miralles, President of the Board of the Interarts Foundation

Concerts in support of development in Valencia, Barcelona and Madrid

“Voces”, a platform of artists and cultural professionals committed in the fight against poverty and social exclusion which affects children, will organize, in collaboration with Interarts and Music Crossroads, the “S tour” under the slogan “+ culture + rights – poverty”. A series of concerts will be held in Valencia, Barcelona and Madrid with the participation, among others of artists from the national scene as Sidonie, Sidecars and Supersubmarina. The net benefits generated by the concerts will be destined to projects promoting cultural cooperation, such as the setting up of workshops in Mali and the promotion of homeless children’s music groups in Colombia. The three concerts scheduled will take place on 10 December in Valencia, 16 December in Barcelona and 17 December in Madrid. For more information, please see http://www.voces.org.es

Ist International Congress of Cultural Administrators in El Ejido (Almeria)

From 4 to 7 November the Spanish National Federation of Cultural Administrators (FEAGC) held the Ist International Congress of Cultural Administrators in El Ejido, Almeria (Spain) under the title “Towards New Cultural Policies in the European Union for the XXI Century”. Over 450 professionals from different countries, such as Spain, Chile, Portugal, France and Belgium, participated in the event. Interarts also took an active part with Emilie Vidal’s presentation on “International associations of cultural administrators: the case of Spain”. The associations of cultural administrators present took a position on the future of this professional sector by signing, at the closing session, a public statement and indicating the will to create a World Organization of Cultural Professional. For more information, please see http://91.142.214.189/index.php?option=com_content

Participation in the IIIrd Edition of “Layers of Culture” in Bologna

From 5 to 7 November, the Italian Association -ARCI held, in Bologna, the third edition of the “Layers of Culture” series with the title “Culture is a Resource. What are the Resources for Culture?”. Based on the belief that investing in culture promotes social inclusion, creativity and innovation, the conference aimed at stimulating an open debate on the issue of investments in culture, policies in support for culture and the identification of available resources for culture in Italy and in Europe. Mercedes Giovinazzo, director of Interarts and chair of the Executive Comimittee of Culture Action Europe, participated in the conference. For more information on ARCI, please see
http://www.bo.arci.it/

IXth meeting of the Anna Lindh Foundation’s Spanish Network

On 11 November, the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) coordinator of Spanish Network of the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures, convened a meeting of the Spanish members of the network, among which Interarts. The meeting agenda included the presentation of the conclusions of the annual meeting of national networks, the 2010 working program, with the celebration of the Anna Lindh Foundation 2010 Barcelona Forum as one of its key points, and the planning strategy of the Spanish members for the coming months. The Anna Lindh Foundation is an intergovernmental organization with civil society from 43 countries. Its main mission is to promote common understanding and knowledge between countries of the Euromediterranean basin. For more information, please see:
http://www.iemed.org/presentacio/xarxes/clindhpre.php y http://www.euromedalex.org/

Artists and internationalization. Participation in the public debate session with the Austrian Minister of Culture

On 16 November EDUCULT, the Institute for Cultural Policies and Management, organized, in collaboration with the Renner-Institut, a public debate in Vienna to discuss the issue of “Artists with / or without borders – Internationalization and Mobility” convened the Austrian Minister of Culture, Claudia Schmied, journalists, artists and international experts from the cultural sector. Among the international experts there were Robert Dornhelm, the Austrian filmmaker of Romanian origin now living in Los Angeles; Gottfried Wagner, musicologist, essayist and former director of the European Cultural Foundation; and Mercedes Giovinazzo, director of Interarts. The aim of the meeting was to exchange experiences relating to internationalization and mobility, analyze the transnational aspects of artistic production and identify means to both facilitate and stimulate artistic mobility.

FOMECC Honduras participates in the country’s first business convention

On 18 and 19 November five creative businesses, participating in the program for the promotion of cultural and creative industries (FOMECC) in Honduras, participated in a business convention organized by the Fund for the Achievement of the Millennium Goals (F-ODM) and by the “Joint Program for Creativity and Cultural Identity” The convention took place at the Expocentro in San Pedro Sula and was the first of its category to be celebrated in Honduras. The participation of FOMECC Honduras, a joint partnership by Interarts and the program “Santa Rosa Vive el Arte”, was part of the accompanying process offered to cultural entrepreneurs to enable them to pursue sustainable business initiatives. All FOMECC projects are support by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation towards Development (AECID). For more information, visit http://www.interarts.net/es/encurso.php?pag=1&p=295

Launch of the field work in the framework of the project in Western Africa (AEAO)

Since mid-November, two Interarts project assistants have moved to Africa to carry out the field work foreseen in the framework of the project “Strategy Analysis for the Promotion of Culture and Creativity in Western Africa” carried out by Interarts with the support of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation towards Development (AECID) and the collaboration of Musiccrossroads. Of the 7 selected countries to be part of the study, Burkina Faso and Mali are the first destinations of the experts. A fundamental part of their work will consist in conducting interviews and collecting relevant data to assess the potential of the different countries under study to develop future projects in support of the cultural and creative industries (FOMECC) as is the case now in Dakar, Senegal. More information on the project can be found at http://www.interarts.net/es/encurso.php?pag=1&p=328

Closing of the project on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) in Ecuador

Members of the Interarts team visited Ecuador undertook, during the third week of November 2009, a visit to Ecuador with three main objectives: to close the 18 months project on “Cultural Factors in the Prevention of HIV/AIDS for Indigenous Women in Ecuador” which Interarts has coordinated jointly with Family Care International (FCI) / Ecuador; to work with FCI staff in Latin-America; to participate in the International Seminar on “Interculturality and rights in the Andes subregion with a special interest on sexual and reproductive health and the promotion of Sumak Kawsay (Good living)”. The seminar was organized by the Ecuador Ministry of Public and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), jointly with different regional and international organizations, among which the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation towards Development (AECID). For more information visit
http://www.interarts.net/es/encurso.php?pag=1&p=310

Participation in the IVth Interlocal Assembly

The IVth Assembly of the Iberoamerican Network of Cities for Culture, Interlocal, was celebrated from 24 to 27 November, in Almada, Portugal around two main working strands: “Co-operation and diversity for creativity” and “Creative cities and citizens’ participation”. The organizers of the event aimed at consolidating a space for theoretical reflection and exchange on practices open to the participation of representatives from the creative sector, thinkers, artists and experts in the field of cultural cooperation towards development. Eduard Miralles, president of Interarts, participated in the event. For more information, please see: http://www.redinterlocal.org/spip.php?article786

Working session on festivals at Interarts

As part of his Visiting Fellowship currently conducted at Interarts, Dr. Dragan Klaić, academic and permanent fellow of the Felix Meritis Foundation - Amsterdam, conducted an informal debate with the participation of professionals from the festival sector in Catalonia. The aim of the working session was to have a first-hand input from professionals of the festival scene on their experience and reflections. This area of work is of special relevance Dr. Dragan Klaić, initiator of the European Festival Research Project (EFRP) and who, during his stay in Barcelona has started the draft of a new book on the issue of festivals. Dr. Klaić’s stay at Interarts has been made possible thanks to the support of the Department of Culture and the Media of the Government of Catalonia.

IInd edition of the “Creative Cities” Days

The IInd edition of the “Creative Cities” Days took place in Barcelona on 26 and 27 November. Organized by the Kreanta Foundation, a civil society institution active in stimulating platforms and frameworks for debate on culture and international cooperation. The Interarts president, Eduard Miralles, participated in this event which aimed at creating a meeting point between cultural policies, urban policies and the economical development of cities. The event was supported by the Ministry of Culture of Spain, the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation towards Development (AECID), the Catalan Institute for Cultural Industries of the Government of Catalonia, the Provincial Council of Barcelona (Diputació de Barcelona), the Municipality of and the Barcelona Media Centre for Innovation. Form more information, please see: http://www.ciudadescreativas.org/

Jan Truszczynski, new Director General of Education and Culture of the European Commission

Jan Truszczynski has been appointed new Director-General for Education and Culture replacing Odile Quintin, to take up his duties in May 2010. Previously, Mr. Truszczynski was Ambassador of Poland to the EU in Brussels (1996–2001) and Poland's chief negotiator during its EU accession negotiations; (2001-2005). From 2007, he has been Deputy Director-General of the Education and Culture DG. The Education and Culture Directorate General is responsible for the Commission’s programs in the areas of education, training, culture, youth, citizenship, multilingualism and sport.

New EU Commissioner for Culture

Androulla Vassiliou, wife of the former president of Cyprus, George Vassiliou, has been nominated Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth of the European Commission. where she replace Maros Sefcovic. Previously she was Health Commissionner. She was elected MP to the Cyprus Parliament on three occasions: 1996, 2001 and 2006. She also represented her country at the Convention which drafted the European Constitution. From 2001 to 2006 she was vicepresident of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR) and president of the European Liberal Women’s Network.

Report on cultural diversity

Around sixty Swiss culture specialists from the areas of culture, communication, education, cooperation and economy have submitted a report entitled “Cultural diversity – more than just a slogan”, in which they recommend measures to raise awareness of cultural life and to help culture gain a more central role in Swiss politics. The document is based on the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, adopted in Paris in October and subsequently ratified by Switzerland, in which cultural goods and services are recognized as vectors of identity in the face of cultural globalization. The report is available, in German and French at
www.kulturellevielfalt.ch

New civil society platform for multilinguism

On 23 October the constitutive meeting of a civil society platform for the Promotion of Multilingualism was held in Brussels, as from the call launched by the European Commission in its 2008 Communication on multilingualism. Its members are representatives of the culture, education and media sectors. The principal objective of this Platform, which claims Europe’s cultural and linguistic diversity, is to promote a permanent dialogue between the European Commission and civil society on the different aspects relating to policies for multilinguism. More information at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1574&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Meeting of the European cultural Platforms

On 24 November the Directorate General for Education and Culture of the European Commission organized a meeting in Brussels with the three civil society platforms of the structured dialogues process to discuss the follow-up on the II European Culture Forum, held on 29 and 30 September, and to evaluate further action by the Platforms following the presentation of their recommendations.

Les Rencontres launches a new newsletter

Les Rencontres, the European network of local and regional administrations for culture, presents its new newsletter through which it will disseminate information on its activities. The network, dedicated to an active participation in the debate and exchange on European cultural policies will host in its newsletter information both from the European cultural sector and from other networks. For more information visit http://www.lesrencontres.eu

Public consultation for a European single market of online creative contents

On 22 October 2009 the European Commission published a document which, under the title “Creative Content in a European Digital Single Market: Challenges for the Future”, opens a public consultation process on the creation of a European single market for online creative contents, such as books, music, films or videogames. This initiative provides a space for reflection and new ideas on how to solve the obstacles which this single market might encounter. The public consultation will be open until 5 January 2010 and, although it is open to all, it is primarily addressed to three types of actors: rights holders, consumers and commercial users. For more information, see
http://ec.europa.eu/avpolicy/other_actions/content_online/index_en.htm

Call for papers for the IVth International Congress of Cultural Heritage and Cooperation towards Development

The IVth International Congress of Cultural Heritage and Cooperation towards Development will take place in Sevilla from 16 to 18 June 2010. It is being organized by the Instituto Andaluz del Patrimonio Histórico (IAPH) of the Department of Culture of the Government of Andalucía in cooperation with the Universidad Politécnica of Madrid, the Universitat Politècnica of Valencia / Center for Cooperation towards Development, the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation towards Development (AECID), the University of Valencia, the Forum Foundation-UNESCO and the Foundation La Luz de las Imágenes of the Government of Valencia. “Cultural heritage and the new settings for development” is the title of this edition of the Conference. The deadline for the submission of papers is set at 31 December 2009. For more information, please visit the Conference’s website at: http://www.patrimonioydesarrollo.es

Open call for training of performing arts managers

The European Space-Project, which promotes mobility for the performing arts sector in Europe, is currently carrying out a mobility program for managers in this sector (theater, dance, street theater, circus) interested in setting up transnational networks, exchanging ideas on audience development and being part of a transnational mobility scheme. The selected managers will receive training in different events taking place in different European cities, such as Brussels of Rotterdam, all throughout 2010 and 2011. The deadline for applications is 17 January 2010. More information at
http://www.spaceproject.eu/SPACE_project/SPACE_calls.html

Call for Proposals - Local and Regional Cultural Activities 2010

The Delegation of the European Commission to the State of Israel launched a call for proposals for the funding of local and regional cultural activities for 2010, in Israel and in the Mediterranean region, aimed at promoting cultural cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean area. These actions will benefit from a financial assistance from the ENPI program of the European Communities. Deadline for the submission of proposals is 28 January 2010. For more information see
http://www.delisr.ec.europa.eu/english/calls4props.asp?id=519

Seminar on “Arts, migration and intercultural dialogue” in Lanzarote

Art Aspects, based in Berlin, will organize two seminars in the island of Lanzarote from 17 to 29 May 2010 with the aim to stimulate exchange in the cultural sector on the issue of migration in Europe and to identify possible solutions through a creative and practical approach. The seminars are designed for art teachers, artists and professionals working in the field of adult education. The European Commission support these seminars and scholarships can be requested until 15 January 2010. For more information, http://www.art-aspects.de/index.html

Vth anniversary of the Agenda 21 for Culture

The Culture Committee of the United Cities and Local Governments organization (UCGL) has just published its fifth report coinciding with the Vth anniversary of the Agenda 21 for Culture which was approved by cities and local governments committed to human rights, cultural diversity, sustainability, participative democracy and provision for peace. Under the title “Cities, cultures and development” this fifth report, supported by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation towards Development (AECID), aims at bringing forth the commitment by a number of cities which have actively promoted or implemented the declaration; it also provides the guiding lines for the future work of the Culture Committee in the overall context of the UCGL world organization. The report may be found at http://www.agenda21culture.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44&Itemid=57&lang=en

New article on “Culture, Decentralized Cooperation and Local Development”

In its 2008 Yearbook the Observatory for Decentralized Cooperation UE-Al (OCD), an organization coordinated by the Provincial Council of Barcelona (Diputació de Barcelona) to facilitate the links and solidarity between European and Latin American cities and regions, includes an article by Eduard Miralles, president of Interarts. This text analyses the role of culture as a tool for local development; it is an interesting contribution which completes the existing scarce bibliography on the issue. The 2008 Yearbook can be consulted and the full text of the article can be downloaded
http://www.observ-ocd.org/libreriapagina.asp?id=467

Manifesto for Creativity and Innovation in Europe

The Manifesto for Creativity and Innovation in Europe One is one of the outputs of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009. The document includes seven action lines related to education, culture, science, design, work place and business; it is the result of a collective effort form the Ambassadors of the Year who will hand it over to Mr. Juan Manual Barroso, President of the Commission. The document may be found at
http://www.create2009.europa.eu/about_the_year/documents_of_the_year.html

Ireland: major contribution of the arts to economy

The Arts Council of Ireland, member of the International Federation of Arts Councils and Arts Agencies (IFACCA), has commissioned a report which confirms that the arts and culture sector not only have a major impact on the Irish economy but also play a fundamental role as a motor for employment and investment. The full report is available at http://www.artscouncil.ie/Publications/Arts%20Council%20-%20Economic%20Impact%20-%20Final%20Report.pdf

Finland: a strategy for cultural policy

The Ministry of Education has prepared, for the first time in its history, a cultural policy strategy up to 2020. Until now, the Ministry did not have a specific strategy for this sector and its action was defined against the general governmental policy background. The document may be downloaded at http://www.minedu.fi/OPM/Julkaisut/2009/Kulttuuripolitiikan_strategia_2020?lang=en

Commonwealth Statement on Culture and Development

The Statement, prepared by the Commonwealth Culture and Development Group, underlines the importance of the multiple connections between culture and development and the added value that culture brings to any development strategy. The text is available at http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/uploads/documents/Statement_on_Culture_web1.pdf

Periphery, Culture and Social Inclusion

This is the title of a report by Simona Bodo, Cristina da Milano and Silvia Mascheroni for the Cariplo Foundation, which from its base in Milan (Italy) supports organizations with a clear social remit. The report is available, in Italian, at
http://www.fondazionecariplo.it/portal/upload/ent3/1/Quaderno1PeriferieWeb.pdf

Publication on Cultural Diversity

The ”Obsevatório Itaú Cultural” based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, has dedicated the latest issue of its Revista Observatório IC to a monographic theme: “Cultural diversity”. It’s the 8th issue of this Journal which has been published in collaboration with the Centre for Cultural Diversity (PUC Minas) and the Department for Identity and Cultural Diversity (SID) of the Federal Ministry of Culture (MinC). With over 180 pages it contains contributions by over 20 authors. The issue of the Journal may be consulted at
http://www.itaucultural.org.br/bcodemidias/001516.pdf

Conference on intercultural cities (Bari, 11 December)

On 11 December 2009, in Bari, Italy, the Council of Europe and the Italian Region of Apulia will organize a conference on “Local Communities and hospitality and integration policies in Europe and the Mediterranean – Forum of intercultural cities. Mayors and other city representatives from Europe and the South Mediterranean, as well as officials from international, national institutions and organizations, intellectuals and journalist will participate in this event to discuss the challenges set at local level by cultural diversity but also its potential. Coinciding with this conference the Region of Apulia will launch its European campaign against racism. For more information, please see http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/culture/Cities/bari/Default_en.asp

Presentation of projects funded byt ACPCultures and ACPFilms (Brussels, 15 December)

On 15 December, in Brussels, in the framework of the first thematic meeting with the ACPCultures– which include visual and performing arts and music- and the ACPFilms – for cinema - grant beneficiaries, the Secretariat of the ACP Group, which includes Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific, will present the results of the call for proposals in these two areas. This year, the ACP Group and the European Commission support a total of 30 cultural projects: 6 within the ACPCultures and 24 within the ACPFilms, which includes production, promotion, distribution and training in the film sector in ACP countries. For more information, see http://www.acp.int

Cyberkaris

Cyberkaris is the monthly electronic newsletter of the Interarts Foundation for all those interested in news and happenings in the field of international cultural policies and cultural cooperation. The Interarts Foundation, International Observatory of Urban and Regional Cultural Policies, promotes since 1995 research in culture and territorial development, cooperation between networks and artistic, cultural and heritage projects, the definition and fostering of Cultural Rights and offers advice to projects and entrepreneurs from the cultural sector and the creative industries. Interarts is an agency working in ''partnership'' with organisations in Catalonia and Spain as well as with the main world agents for international cultural cooperation, among which are those belonging to the system of the United Nations, the European Union, the Council of Europe and intergovernmental agencies between Europe and Latin America, Asia and Africa. Interarts is presently managing programmes related to the ecological, axiological and deonthological aspects of cultural development as well as others that foster the new role of civil society in the cultural sector.

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