ASEF Cultural Policy Dialogue Series

Overview

In the area of cultural policy, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) aims to stimulate analysis and engagement that reflect current political debates in Asia and Europe, as well as demonstrate close alignment with priorities of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

ASEF attends the biennial ASEM Culture Ministers’ Meetings (ASEM CMMs) and closely follows the discussions at these Ministerial meetings. Further, ASEF facilitates dialogue between civil experts and government officials on topics of mutual interest inspired by ASEM's cultural agenda. These dialogues take the form of ASEF Policy Panels and Public Forums, and particularly emphasise the sharing of good practices from Asia and Europe. The second ASEF Policy Panel will take place at the 7th ASEM Cultural Ministers' Meeting in Gwangju, Korea (2016) while first ASEF Policy Panel took place at the 6th ASEM Culture Ministers' Meeting in Rotterdam, the Netherlands (2014). Public Forums on cultural policy issues of common relevance have taken place in Gwangju, Korea (2015),  Amsterdam, the Netherlands (2014), Hanoi, Viet Nam (2013),  Yangon, Myanmar (2013), Yogyakarta, Indonesia (2012), Melbourne, Australia (2011), Seoul, Korea (2011) and Amsterdam, the Netherlands (2010). The outcomes of these dialogue sessions - which take the form of policy recommendations and compilation of good practices - are subsequently channeled to ASEM governments through the ASEM CMMs. ASEF's role in supporting knowledge exchange between Asia and Europe has been consistently acknowledged in all Chair's Statements of the ASEM CMMs (2014, Netherlands; 2012, Indonesia; 2010, Poland; 2008, Malaysia; 2005, France; 2003, China).

ASEF supports research on arts and culture in ASEM countries through the WorldCP-International Database on Cultural Policies initiative, which aims to make such information comprehensive, up-to-date and publicly accessible. Profiles of Cambodia, Mongolia, Philippines and Singapore are currently in preparation. In 2013, the cultural policy profiles of India, Korea and Viet Nam were launched and are publicly accessible on culture360.asef.org, ASEF’s arts and culture portal and on worldcp.org.

Goals 

• To facilitate dialogue, knowledge exchange and networking between government officials and civil experts on topics inspired by ASEM's cultural agenda - current focus rests on creative industries, creative cities and heritage management.
• To promote research on arts and culture in Asia and Europe and build sustainable connections between the policy research communities in both regions.