First Regional Conference of the EaP Culture Programme

On 08-09 October 2012 the First Regional Conference of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) Culture Programme took place. The EaP Culture Programme aims at strengthening the capacity of the culture sector in the Eastern Partnership countries (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine). The conference was organised by the RMCBU (Regional Monitoring and Capacity Building Unit) within the EaP Culture Programme. Among the special guests of the conference were representatives of several Ministries of Culture of the EaP countries, the European Commission (Brussels), the EU Delegation to Georgia as well as participants from EU member states, who are involved in cultural activities.

On the first morning of the conference the venue changed into a colourful exhibition hall buzzing with activity. The 15 projects in the frame of the programme used the opportunity to present their work with posters, audio-visual tools, creative decorations, and publications. Like the other projects also the representatives of SOS Culture – Barbara Siebert and Agnesa Karapetyan from FPWC and Lali Santeladeze and Georgi Jikia from the dvv international Georgia Country Office  – introduced their work to the colleagues from 16 European Countries. The SOS Culture posters and postcards presenting cultural assets in the border regions of Armenia and Georgia, as well as the other visibility material like t-shirts, leaflets, and notebooks raised much attention. During the two conference days the exhibition offered all participants a great platform for networking and discussion.

In the conference sessions the participants discussed the role of culture for social, human and economic development, but also culture policy reforms and strategies. Another key issue was the impact and role of culture in the EaP countries which are currently all undergoing a transition process. Though the discussions partly were very controversial, the conference participants in the end adopted a joint communiqué underlining the crucial role of culture in the EaP countries. The communique also calls all private and public actors in these countries to contribute to a productive atmosphere where culture can flourish and fulfil its role for the development of the society.  

The final session of the conference revealed a nice surprise for the SOS Culture Team: The participants of the conference had been invited by the organizers to vote for the three best projects. Among the three winners SOS Culture was honoured with the main prize for its clear and sustainable impact on the project target group. Handing over the prize to Barbara Siebert (FPWC Programme Director) Luciano Gloor (RMCBU Team Leader) explained: “The main prize goes to the project, which has convinced the conference participants that it reaches out very successfully to the young people who are the target group. This is the overall aim, which we should always strive to accomplish: To have a real positive impact on the life of the members of the target group and to open up new opportunities for them.”