The ‘International Cultural Relations’ report can be accessed here.

We are delighted to announce the publication of the Brainstorming Report on the topic ‘International Cultural Relations’.

In a context informed by the increasing geopolitical tussle, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, experiences and traumas of the Covid-19 pandemic and broader economic, political, social and technological change, the practices and the very paradigm of global international cultural relations (ICR) must be constantly evaluated. The stakeholders of ICR, ranging from the state to the individual and including cultural and creative sector civil society organisations (CSOs) and cultural actors, have both a role to play and at the same time must hold themselves and others accountable for creating the space and time to develop more sustainable, accessible, equitable and inclusive ICR.

The report represents a collection of topics, recommendations, tangible steps and project ideas drawn from the Voices of Culture Structured Dialogue on ICR in February 2022. Four considerations – equity, space, access and time – have been used to address complex topics in ICR. They enhance, within this framework, a more inclusive approach and bring new voices into the co-design of ICR activities and the exploring of funding mechanisms. While avoiding reinventing the wheel, the discussions gave space to share knowledge, time to read and learn from others, and an understanding of the gaps in information, knowledge and perspectives.

The report is divided into four main recommendation chapters:

• Access
• Time
• Equity
• Space

Written in a comprehensive and accessible style this document is useful for cultural practicioners as well as professionals in the field of cultural policy. It provides a range of best practice examples and policy recommendations in the field of ‘International Cultural Relations’.

We would like to thank all participanting organizations for their work on the report.