From the Focal Point

A NEW STRATEGY TO PUT CULTURE AT THE HEART OF EU INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS... AND BREXIT

At the beginning of June 2016 the European Commission published a joint communication to the European Parliament and the Council: Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations, which aims at encouraging cultural cooperation between the EU and its partner countries and promoting a global order based on peace, mutual understanding and respect for fundamental values. Several parties - Member States, the European Parliament and civil society - have called on the European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to develop a strategic vision to advance international cultural relations.

The Joint Communication proposes a strategic framework for deeper and more effective international cultural relations as well as a new model for cooperation with EU Member States, EU national cultural institutes, private and public operators from the EU and its partner countries, for increasing opportunities, creating synergies and reinforcing socio-economic benefits. The three main cultural cooperation objectives are: to support culture as an engine for sustainable social and economic development; to promote culture and intercultural dialogue for peaceful inter-community relations; and to reinforce cooperation on cultural heritage. In pursuing these objectives, the EU's international cultural relations will contribute to making the European Union a stronger global actor in international relations, a stronger contributor to mutual understanding. The Strategy also stresses the importance of EU's cooperation with UNESCO and, as a party to UNESCO's 2005 Convention, reiterates its commitment to promote the diversity of cultural expressions as part of its international cultural relations.

The Strategy aims at moving the whole European project forward. However, almost simultaneously with the presentation of the EU Strategy for international cultural relations, i.e., during the month of June, the referendum and the decision by the United Kingdom's electorate to leave the European Union took place. How to understand and deal with the consequences - that is the question of many artists, cultural institutions, etc., both in the UK and the EU. The UK benefits hugely from being in (is it possible to forget the regeneration of Liverpool as European Capital of Culture, and the perspective of another capital of culture in the UK in 2023, to mention just one example?). The EU Strategy for international cultural relations as well as the EU's forthcoming Global Strategy will not be the same without the UK and its engagement. The question is what the status of the UK will be as a non-EU country: a partner country? a neighbourhood country? a third country? or could a Euro-Britain Cultural Foundation be established, following the example of The Euro-American Cultural Foundation established in 2013?

We, the Europeans, do not forget the fact that 75 per cent of the voters between the ages of 18 and 24 voted to remain in the EU - and they are our future, our hope; otherwise, it could be - to paraphrase Umberto Eco - a passo di gambero.

Culturelink Team

1.   BITEF AND CULTURAL DIPLOMACY: THE ROLE OF THEATER FESTIVALS IN THE INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL RELATIONS

The UNESCO Chair in Cultural Policy and Management of the University of Arts in Belgrade and the BITEF festival are organizing an international conference on BITEF and Cultural Diplomacy: The Role of Theatre Festivals in the International Cultural Relations, which will be held in Belgrade, Serbia, on 1 - 2 October 2016 as part of the 50th BITEF festival. The deadline for the submission of abstracts is 20 June 2016. >>>

2.   INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EUROPEAN VALUES AND IDENTITY: MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS OF EUROPEANIZATION

The Centre for Social Sciences, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia Proeuropa and Georgian Community of France are organizing an international conference on European Values and Identity: Multiple Dimensions of Europeanization, to take place in Tbilisi, Georgia, on 25 - 26 October 2016. The deadline for the submission of abstracts is 15 July 2016. >>>

3.   INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NEW PRESSURES ON CITIES AND REGIONS

The 2016 Winter Conference of the Regional Studies Association: New Pressures on Cities and Regions will be held in London, UK, on 24 - 25 November 2016, aiming to provide an intellectual and policy-relevant platform for scholars around the world to address the new and emerging challenges facing cities and regions. The abstract submission deadline is 24 August 2016. >>>

4.   OPEN CALLS - 24th ENCATC ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2016

ENCATC, the European Network on Cultural Management and Policy is offering members and non-members space of different formats to share their work with a wide international audience during the 24th ENCATC Annual Conference, to be held in Valencia, Spain, on 5 - 7 October 2016. The deadline for the open calls is 15 July 2016. >>>

5.   CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL CO-PRODUCTIONS

With a view to encouraging new collaborative working processes and innovative productions involving international cultural exchange, the Goethe-Institut has set up a new coproduction fund to promote new working networks and approaches within a global context, and to explore new forms of intercultural collaboration. Application deadlines are: for 2016: 15 July 2016; for 2017: 30 October 2016 and 30 April 2017; for 2018: 30 October 2017 and 30 April 2018. >>>

6.   CREATIVE TOURISM AWARDS

Created by the Creative Tourism Network, the Creative Tourism Awards aim to reward companies, projects and destinations worldwide that foster a new generation of tourism, characterized by the active participation of the tourists in artistic and creative activities. The deadline for applications is 30 August 2016. >>>

7.   CALL FOR PROJECTS: DIGITAL LAB AFRICA

The Digital Lab Africa (DLA) is a new platform for African talent in multimedia. The DLA call for projects is open to any professional or individual in multimedia creation from Sub-Saharan Africa. The deadline for applications is 31 August 2016. >>>

8.   CANON FOUNDATION RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS 2016

Each year, to contribute to international understanding between Europe and Japan, the Canon Foundation in Europe offers up to 15 Research Fellowships to highly qualified European and Japanese researchers from all fields of research. The deadline for applications is 15 September 2016. >>>

9.   ZIFF 2016 LAUNCHES CROWDFUNDING INITIATIVE

The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) is one of the highlights of the island nation's cultural calendar with thousands of people attending every year. The organisers are making a plea to anyone with an interest in film, and particularly African film, to donate to their crowd funding campaign and to support this campaign via donating and sharing with all your contacts. >>>

10.   AMSTERDAM SUMMER UNIVERSITY: DESIGNING CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC RESPONSES TO THE RAPIDLY CHANGING POLITICAL REALITIES IN EUROPE

The Amsterdam Summer University launched its 2016 programme. The course Designing Cultural and Artistic Responses to the Rapidly Changing Political Realities in Europe will be held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, on 11 - 14 August 2016. The application deadline is 15 July 2016. >>>

11.   CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS: GLOBAL CULTURAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

A unique training programme for developing leadership in international cultural collaboration, designed as part of a new global Cultural Diplomacy Platform launched by the European Commission, supports mutual cultural engagement with countries and citizens around the world. In parallel to the 7th IFACCA World Summit on Arts and Culture, the Cultural Diplomacy Platform will offer 40 participants to join a comprehensive learning- and networking programme. This first Global Cultural Leadership Programme will take place in Valletta, Malta, on 16 - 21 October 2016. The deadline for applications is 1 August 2016. >>>

12.   A COURSE ON SOCIALLY PURPOSEFUL MUSEUMS AND ARCHIVES

The Nordic Centre of Heritage Learning and Creativity (NCK) invites museum and archive practitioners to a course exploring their institution's social value, political relevance, and its resonance with communities. A week-long course will take place in Östersund, Sweden, on 17 - 21 October 2016. >>>

13.   THE BEST IN HERITAGE CONFERENCE

The 15th edition of the Best in Heritage conference, organized in partnership with EUROPA NOSTRA and the Endowment Fund of ICOM, will take place on 22 - 24 September 2016 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. 44 best heritage projects will be presented, with representatives from China, the United States, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Vietnam, Russia and Europe taking the stage. >>>

14.   MOKOLO PROJECT

Dedicated to African cinema, the Mokolo Project, a panafrican interactive online portal for filmmakers whose aim is to reinforce the film and multimedia sector in Africa by improving the accessibility and visibility of professionals and contents, was launched on 31 May 2016 in Dakar, Senegal. >>>

15.   THE DIGITIZED CITY: INFLUENCE AND IMPACT

The book The Digitized City: Influence and Impact by Charles Landry highlights the transformative effect of the digitized world on cities, society and social life, connectivity, the economy and cultural life. >>>

16.   THE CRISIS OF PRESENCE IN CONTEMPORARY CULTURE: ETHICS, PRIVACY AND SPEECH IN MEDIATED SOCIAL LIFE

The book by Vincent Miller investigates three issues in particular which have captured the public imagination as problems emerging directly from the contemporary use of communications technology: online anti-social behaviour, the problem of privacy, and the problem of free speech online. >>>

17.   CULTURE AS A VOCATION. SOCIOLOGY OF CAREER CHOICES IN CULTURAL MANAGEMENT

Based on empirical findings of research conducted in France, set in a broader comparative perspective at the European level and with the USA, this book by Vincent Dubois examines the motivations for and expectations of choosing a career in the cultural sector, specifically in the field of cultural management. >>>

18.   MUSEUMS, MIGRATION AND CULTURAL IDENTITY - RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MUSEUM WORK

The publication, originally published by the German Museums Association and now adapted and published in English by the Network of European Museum Organisations (NEMO), gives concrete and hands-on instructions for museums to find a multi-perspective and multicultural approach to their work and their collections in order to contribute to a healthy and diverse society. >>>

19.   WHEN CULTURAL POLICIES CHANGE: COMPARING MEXICO AND ARGENTINA

Through a comparative and historical analysis, this book sheds new light on the emergence, institutionalization and transformation of the cultural policies of two major Latin American countries: Mexico and Argentina.>>>

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