Malaysia sets the stage for international action on arts and culture
Global leaders from the arts and culture sector will soon arrive in Kuala Lumpur for the 8th World Summit on Arts and Culture, a major gathering of government representatives, policy makers, creative practitioners and citizens from more than 70 countries worldwide. As the host country, Malaysia sets the stage for vital discussions among decision makers, who will address how the international community can work together to actively lead change in times of profound and ongoing global transformation.
Co-hosted by the National Department for Culture and the Arts (JKKN) and the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA), the Summit will take place in Kuala Lumpur from 11-14 March 2019.
The Summit will highlight Malaysia as a leading voice in the region, showcase the country’s rich and diverse arts and culture, and introduce the world to high-profile cultural pioneers from Malaysia including: Tash Aw (internationally acclaimed author); Hijjas bin Kasturi (award winning architect and patron to the arts); Eddin Khoo (poet, writer, translator, journalist and founder of Pusaka); and Dato Dr Faridah Merican (Co-Founder and Executive Producer of The Actors Studio).
The Summit also presents an opportunity for the Malaysian arts and culture sector to hear from world-leading experts, who will address a range of issues related to the theme Mobile Minds: Culture, Knowledge and Change. The lineup includes representatives more than 40 countries, across six continents, with major presentations from: Ashkan Fardost (Sweden) a technology and digitalisation expert who will speak on being human in the digital age; James Williams (UK) a writer and academic who co-founded the Time Well Spent campaign, which questions the ethics of technology and seeks to realign technology with humanity’s best interests; Basma El Husseiny (Egypt) a leading cultural figure in the Middle East and Arab Region and founder of Action for Hope that seeks to provide cultural relief and cultural development programs to communities in crisis; and international award winning expert on cultural rights Dr Lucina Jiménez newly appointed Director General to the Institute of Fine Arts and a member of the Drafting Council of the Law for Culture and Cultural Rights of Mexico.
Executive Director of the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA), Magdalena Moreno Mujica said:‘We are grateful to JKKN and MOTAC for providing us this unique platform to come together as an international community. The programme has been designed with the aim to identify actional ideas where arts and culture play a critical role in shaping our futures.’
Full information:www.artsummit.org
ABOUT THE SUMMIT
The World Summit on Arts and Culture is organised by the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) – the global network of arts councils and ministries of culture, with member institutions in over 70 countries – in partnership with one of its National Members every three years. The aim of the Summit is to provide national arts councils, ministries of culture and other agencies the opportunity to discuss key issues of public support for the arts and culture. The World Summits provide an excellent opportunity for strengthening civil society, promoting collaboration between non-profit and government sectors and for equipping artists, arts organisations and institutions to interact.
ABOUT THE ORGANISERS
International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA)
The International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) is the global network of arts councils and ministries of culture, with member institutions in over 70 countries. Its vision is a world in which arts and culture thrive and are recognised by governments and peoples for their contribution to society. Its purpose is to lead global thought and action for arts and culture in public life, support and engage members, and forge platforms for collaboration and exchange.
National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN)
The National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) is responsible for implementing arts and culture activities in Malaysia. An agency of the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture, JKKN is responsible for preserving and promoting arts and culture, supporting cultural infrastructure, and carrying out research.
