The Power of Culture

Theme: Culture and economics

Isn't combating poverty more important than art? Can we justifiably channel sparse development funds into culture? Culture is not only an instrument: it is a goal in itself. However, that does not change the fact that art and culture can be a means for improving the quality of life. Cultural traditions and cultural heritage attract tourists. Cultural projects create jobs and generate income.

In this section you will find news stories and articles on culture and economics, that were published on the Power of Culture website between 2003 and 2010. More recent articles from our network you'll find on our Facebook page.

Culture and economics

Glass factory in Kenya: creative instinct and jobs

August 2006 -

Since 2000, Dutch designer Arnout Visser has been working with local glass blowers in a glass factory in Kitengala, Kenya, on his Bushglass project. The consumer glasswork is exhibited and sold in Kenya and Europe.

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Opinion

Culture is the fountain of our progress

July 2006 -

Abdul Sheriff on culture and development: "A narrow economistic interpretation of development is sterile, and has failed to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor within and between nations."

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Influence of the WTO and the Unesco Treaty on world trade in culture is unclear

July 2006 -

For some time there have been warnings that national art subsidies are under pressure from agreements that countries make in the framework of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Because of free trade and the related consumer preferences, indigenous cultural products ultimately end up getting the short end of the stick.

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Dutch Secretary of State Nicolaï: 'Culture directly promotes tourism'

April 2006 -

Overseas cultural legacy is gaining significance in the Netherlands. But would developing countries not prefer to forget reminders of the Dutch slave trade and colonialism? Secretary of state Atzo Nicolaï: "Most Dutch people are completely unaware of the monuments that we have left in other parts of the world."

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Worldsite

SWOPA

march 2006 -

Women from Ghana improve their position with crafts.

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Local traditions in fashion

October 2005 -

The international world of fashion has been turned upside down: no longer is it ruled from its strongholds in Paris, London and Milan – instead, nowadays the world of fashion is shaped by designs from all over the world. Thanks to TV and the Internet, designers can now reach an audience of millions.

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Fashionable bag from recycled plastic

July 2005 -

New-style development cooperation: a contest for enterprising developers, who have to combine earning a profit with improving the living standards in developing countries.
Rag-Bag produces trendy bags from recycled plastic carrier bags in India.

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Mundial organization launches new record label

July 2005 -

Sawa Sawa! by Cheche, a band from Kenya, is the first release on the Fair Trade Music Label, established by Mundial Productions in Tilburg, the Netherlands.

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Dutch design in development

April 2005 -

Under the motto 'Trade, not aid', Dutch Design in Development (DDiD) was launched on 8 March 2005 in Amsterdam with a symposium. DDiD connects businesses in developing countries to designers in the Netherlands so that they can collectively arrive at a better product.

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Government leaders of ACP countries give culture priority

August 2004 -

Not only are bananas and cashew nuts good for the economy; art can also promote prosperity. During the 4th ACP meeting in Mozambique at the end of June 2004, government leaders discussed culture and development.

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