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International culture summit
19/12/2011
Ministers from around the world will gather in Edinburgh next August to debate the power and profile of culture in forging and fostering international relationships.
Ministers of Culture from nations attending the 2012 Olympic Games will be welcomed to the first ever International Culture Summit on August 13 & 14, during the world-renowned Edinburgh Festivals.
The Summit is a collaboration between the Scottish Government, the UK Government, the Edinburgh International Festival and the British Council. It will bring together Culture Ministers with prominent artists, thinkers and others involved in developing and implementing cultural policy.
Scottish Government Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:
"In bringing together overseas Ministers in Edinburgh, the Summit offers an unprecedented opportunity to discuss the use and value of the arts, culture and the creative industries, and their role in encouraging dialogue among nations.
"It will allow Culture Ministers to share ideas, and solutions to challenges that we all face. It will also provide a fantastic showcase for Scotland's rich creativity and culture against the backdrop of the Edinburgh Festivals."
UK Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said:
"I am really pleased the UK and Scottish Governments will be hosting this exciting conference. It provides a wonderful opportunity for fellow Culture Ministers from around the world to come together and focus on the benefits of culture and the role it can play in improving dialogue.
"Set against the backdrop of the Edinburgh International Festival, this conference makes an excellent addition to the programme of events being put on by the UK around the Olympic and Paralympic Games."
Jonathan Mills, Director of the Edinburgh International Festival, said:
"The Edinburgh International Festival is delighted to contribute to international cultural discourse, and in particular to bring the viewpoint of artists to that discourse. This event offers an opportunity for international partners and policy makers to observe at first hand the world class platform offered to their artists and companies by Edinburgh's festivals. It will also be an opportunity to forge new relationships."
Lloyd Anderson, Director of British Council Scotland, said:
"The British Council is delighted to be the partner of the Scottish Government, DCMS and EIF for this event. As culture is increasingly recognised as an important tool in building long-term relationships and trust between nations - and hence in building prosperity and peace - it is timely that Ministers of Culture will be invited to attend a summit for an exchange of knowledge and ideas on this topic. We look forward to lively debate at the world's first ever Culture Ministers' summit in Edinburgh next year."
The conference theme will be 'Culture as an International Dialogue'. The programme is being devised around three strategic strands:
- The role of the arts and culture in deepening and broadening our understanding of the complex relationships between cultures and nations
- Sustaining private and public support for culture
- Future skills for the creative industries and the role of technology
The venue and detailed programme for the Summit will be announced in due course.