The Power of Culture

What part does art play in society and in the interests of the world's artists? Has globalisation destroyed or strengthened cultural diversity?

Theatre group Het Waterhuis will receive a structural annual of one hundred thousand euros from the Dutch Ministry of Development Cooperation. This troupe is often active in Africa with youth performances about subjects such as Aids and child soldiers.

For 141 days, Barcelona will form the backdrop for a giant event in which cultural diversity, sustainable development and prerequisites for peace will have central focus. The Forum Barcelona 2004, which commences on 9 May and continues through 26 September, offers entertainment with a serious message.

During a two-day conference organised late in February in the Swedish capitol Stockholm, policy makers from various European countries exchange their experiences with supporting culture in developing countries. The objective was to better attune the various activities.

Comprehensive cultural policies are virtually non-existent in Africa. In Mozambique, a pan-African independent organisation is being set up to enhance the development of national cultural policies, and their integration into human development strategies.

The Phenix Foundation, an organization that worked to strengthen the cultural diversity of the available art, is being disbanded. The financiers are not satisfied with the results achieved to date. the Phenix Foundation was established in October 2001.

The authors of two controversial reports about the growing lack of development in Arab countries received a Prince Claus Prize on 10 December. A panel discussion held in the Rode Hoed in Amsterdam organised the previous day concerned the Arab Human Development Reports, which attracted one million readers in Saudi Arabia alone.

Hivos and the European Cultural Foundation (ECF) have joined forces. Early in November these two organisations signed a contract by means of which HIVOS will financially support the ECF activities in the south-eastern part of Eastern Europe.

According to the United Nations, access to internet and telecommunication in developing countries can help to combat poverty. A large-scale summit was organised in Geneva from 10 to 12 December 2003 to bring together numerous parties to discuss the infrastructure necessary for this purpose.

To be continued. That seems to be the most important outcome of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) held in Geneva from 10 to 12 December 2003.