On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, Culturelink, the Network of Networks for Research and Cooperation in Cultural Development, organised the 3^rd World Conference this November, 13-15, in Zagreb.

Under the theme “Networks - The Evolving Aspects of Culture in the 21^st Century”, this event was meant to gather friends, members and all culture professionals interested in discussing the role and dynamics of networking in the cultural field. See programme here.

The Network of networks was created in 1989 in Paris by UNESCO and the Council of Europe (CoE) and it is since then hosted by the Institute for International Relations (IMO), in Croatia. Culturelink has been one of the first virtual cultural networks encouraging communication and exchange of information and ideas and furthering the development of research cooperation. In the past 20 years, this community has grown to over 1500 members coming from 105 countries throughout the world.

This successful story was the motto to reflect on nowadays challenges for cultural networks. The first call was raised in the very beginning of the conference by Robert Palmer (Director of Culture and Cultural and Natural Heritage at the CoE) who claimed that networks risk being powerless in their contribution to cultural development in case the sector remains fragmented. He defended the need to coordinate efforts and work in view of a common interest. Throughout the debates many other speakers endorsed the importance of networking among fellow networks.

Today’s digital tools might well be a good ally to help networks to come together and structure their actions. Yet their potential is far from being fully explored as networks only slowly get acquainted with this new brand new environment. Information and communication technologies (ICT) may provide new ways but also bring about new concerns that split the community such as authorship and regulation. The “digital divide” and the consequent need to improve accessibility to ICT are also major worries of networks at present.

In the course of the discussions other major challenges were brought about such as the promotion of cultural diversity, inclusion, social rights and status of artists and culture professionals. Networks were encouraged to act up as “democratisers” (expression used by Karen Jeynes from the Performing Arts Network of South Africa, Pansa) and to advocate for conditions that would allow culture and arts to flourish freer. In this respect networks were asked to take advantage of their flexible structure and privileged position to make bridges between the sector and the political level while engaging closely with artists and cultural operators.

In this empowering atmosphere, as an outcome of the forum, some participants urged networks to take the lead for a new cultural movement. Among others, Yudhishthir Raj Isar (American University in Paris) and Garry Neil (International Network for Cultural Diversity, INCD) as well as Mary Ann DeVlieg (International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts, IETM) who talked about a new cultural deal. This acclaimed global movement would strive to implement a cultural perspective into development, political and economic agendas.

Let’s congratulate CULTURELINK for these 20 years and wish all the best to all culture networks for this busy agenda ahead!

PS – While the Culturelink conference was running, in a nearby neighbourhood of Zagreb, the Exit Europe – New Geographies of Culture conference was also taking place. Thanks to the great work of the organisers - Alliance for the Centre for Independent Culture and Youth Zagreb, Clubture and Culture Action Europe- one may listen and get to see images of the whole conference at their website as well as get to read its recommendations and conclusions. Do not miss it!