Good life in times of cholera and other turbulences - what role for cultural governance?

- Plenary Session -

What type of promotion and protection is needed for cultural expressions from the side of decision makers and political administrators? Why is there a need for support of the arts without control of content? In an international perspective on cultural policy - what is conducive, what is obstructive? How do the arts and culture contribute to society?
This introductory plenary sets the stage for the theme on cultural policy strategies and funding structures. The background of this debate is informed by the recent UN decision on culture as a strategy in development. Looking beyond 2015 and the current Millennium Development Goals, what will be essential for human development by 2030? As cultural goods and services are increasingly connected to trade relations and negotiations, and substantially transformed by digitisation, how to keep the space for policy innovation open? With 118 States having become party to the 2005-UNESCO Convention on the Promotion and the Protection of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, what opportunities for inclusive cultural governance?

Speakers:
Suraiya Begum, Cultural Secretary, Bangladesh, Ministry of Cultural Affairs
Christine M. Merkel, Head, Division of Culture, German Commission for UNESCO
Salif Sanfo, Journalist/ Opérateur Culturel, Burkina Faso
Christa Meindersma, Director, The Prince Claus Fund for Culture & Development, The Netherlands (to be confirmed)
Ole Reitov, Programme Manager, Freedom of Musical Expression, artsfex Initiative

Moderator: Benjamin Wunsch-Grafton