(Source: www.on-the-move.org)  

A two-day seminar on “Culture, social cohesion and integration challenges” will be held in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands on December 13-14, 2007. This event is organized within the framework of the EU co-funded project on ‘Awareness Raising for Culture and Development’ (ARCADE).The meeting in Zoetermeer is the second seminar of the ARCADE project, after a seminar in Barcelona on “Culture and Conflict Prevention” held in September 2007. It will be an opportunity for actors involved in decentralised cooperation, culture and development to exchange ideas and share good practices related to culture, social cohesion and integration challenges. Main topics of discussion will include culture as a tool for cohesion between rural and urban identities, the integration of minorities through cultural projects and methods for promoting cultural diversity in society, among others. Particular emphasis will be given to the analysis of successful examples of cultural projects related to integration and social cohesion both in Europe and in developing countries.

Including both field experiences and practices as well as research-based presentations, main contributions should be ensured by representatives of local authorities, together with cultural and social development actors (more information available at Arcade). The Seminar Programme and Agenda are currently being finalized and will available shortly.

In addition, a Central Asian crafts exhibition will take place in parallel to the seminar. The exhibition will aim to sensitize the wider public about local production and its impact in terms of poverty alleviation and economic development. It will showcase fair trade as a tool to achieve more balance in the global exchange of cultural goods. The exhibition will present innovative ways to include traditional techniques and patterns in handicraft adapted to modern lifestyle and contemporary markets.

To register as a participant and for all other inquiries, please send an email to arcade {at} acted(.)org