While strategies and priorities are under review due to the current financial crisis and to a re-orientation of public interest, the state’s role as substantial provider of culture is questioned. There is an urgent need to re-think current methods and practices, taking into account world-wide cultural market forces and shifts in global values.

The conference involves high level policy makers and thinkers. The Keynote speaker,  Jeremy Rifkin, Founder and President Economic Trends Foundation, will present on Monday, September 6th (14h15 – 15h30).

Organisers and Partners: Council of Europe, in co-operation with the European Commission, European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC), Culture Action Europe, The Budapest Observatory, International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA), Allianz Kulturstiftung and the European Cultural Foundation. The event is also supported by the Communauté française de Belgique, the Ministry of Culture of Slovenia.