4th Practice Exchange on Intercultural Capacity-building: Interculturalism - Art and Policy

Britain is often viewed as being particularly progressive among European countries in terms of its policies and practice around ethnic and cultural diversity. But the current economic crisis has created a climate where anti-immigration attitudes affect the treatment of British citizens of foreign descent, and severe cuts in public spending are likely to hamper work for community cohesion and integration. The close of 2010 therefore was a particularly appropriate moment for the Platform for Intercultural Europe to mount the first of its Intercultural Practice Exchanges in the UK, building on previous work in Sweden, Austria and Italy.  
This interaction between a European association and prominent proponents of interculturally engaged arts practitioners from the UK drew out insights into the arts’ contribution to democratic development in societies marked by ethnic and cultural diversity. The aim was a genuine interaction between different sectors – cultural, political, academic and civil - and to encourage a critical examination of intercultural arts practice from wider social and political viewpoints. EU Member Governments have recently agreed to collaborate on policy-making for cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue. This event will inform the Platform for Intercultural Europe’s attempt to accompany and guide the work at EU Council level.

Border Crossings, a UK-based company working in intercultural theatre and combined arts, and member of the Platform for Intercultural Europe, was the local organising partner.
Click here for the programme. Read the full report. Read the summary version. 

Organised in collaboration with Platform member Border Crossings, and Rose Bruford College