Members of the "A Soul for Europe"-Network take actively part in conferences, workshops, debates etc. and spread the idea of the initiative as messengers all over Europe. Here you find an overlook on our messenger-activities:
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Seminar "Arts as Cultural Diplomacy: A Forum for Young Leaders"
11-17 July 2010, Berlin, Germany
This Forum for Young Leaders, organized by the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy in cooperation with the European Cultural Parliament, explored, among other things:
"A Soul for Europe" was a partner of this seminar, in which Volker Hassemer and Strategy group member Stephanie Maiwald participated and presented the initiative.
Conference on "The Cultural Dimension of Europe's External Relations"
23 June 2010, 6 pm, Brussels, European Parliament
Panel discussion by invitation of Doris Pack, Chair of the Committee for Culture and Education of the European Parliament and co-organized by EUNIC and A Soul for Europe – Brussels office European House for Culture.
With the participation of: Elmar Brok, member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, MEP; Finn Andersen, President of EUNIC and director of the Danish Cultural Institute; Volker Hassemer, President of the Board of Managers of A Soul for Europe; Alice Guitton, Member of Cabinet of Baroness Ashton, H.R.E.U. for Foreign Affairs (tbc) and Security Policy and Gottfried Wagner, former Director of the European Cultural Foundation.
The discussion was aimed at thinking about tools, responsibilities, and competences in shaping Europe’s cultural foreign policies: How is Europe’s cultural potential reflected and translated in the European foreign policies? What role for the European Parliament – for the different committees – for the Commission and its DGs, for national foreign ministries, for cities and regions in a new policy setting? What set up of the new European External Action Service? What role for national cultural institutes and civil society?
Partners of politics - How can foundations stimulate international politics?
4 June 2010, Berlin, Germany
From 1 to 10 June 2010, Berlin hosted the first “foundations’ week”, where foundations located in Berlin presented themselves and their work to the public. During this week, three panel discussions critically questioned the work, merit and influence of foundations. On 4 June, Strategy group member Nele Hertling participated in a discussion that examined the contribution of foundations to international communication. How can civic energy be sustainably strengthened? Which strategies in the cooperation between civil society and political decision makers have a chance of success?
General Assembly of the Association of Towns awarded the Europe Prize
7 May 2010, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
Strategy group member Bernhard Schneider presented the initiative “A Soul for Europe” and in particular the manual “Cities and Regions. Their cultural responsibility for Europe and how they can fulfil it” to the Association of Towns awarded the Europe Prize.
Springdance Festival / Debate: "The end of nomadism?"
24 April 2010, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Have taken place as part of the 2010 Springdance Festival, this debate discussed new ways of international networking and producing that takes the changing needs of an artistic practice as well as the changing cultural politics into account in the face of the growing debate about the climate change, the imminent end of cheap flights and the growing political atmosphere that favours the national over the international.
Strategy Group members Steve Austen, Nele Hertling and Sven Neumann took part in the discussion which is organized in collaboration with A Soul for Europe, Vrede van Utrecht and SICA.
Expert-Talk "Cooperation and Funding Landscapes in South-eastern Europe"
7-8 December 2009 Berlin, Germany
Rarita Zbranca, Strategy Group member of “A Soul for Europe”, took part in the expert talk in the “Haus der Kulturen der Welt” in Berlin organized by the Robert Bosch Stiftung. The conference encouraged an open dialog between important funders in the area of culture, individuals and institutions receiving funding, local decision-makers as well as experts and those engaged in the cultural sector in the Western Balkans.
ECP "Quality and Reflection in Culture and Media – Prerequisites for European Democracy"
11-13 December 2009 in Gothenburg, Sweden
Steve Austen (Amsterdam), Dejan Ubovic (Belgrade) and Susana Marques (Porto), Strategy Group members of “A Soul for Europe” Initiative and Linda Bouws (Amsterdam) from “Felix Meritis Foundation” participated in the 8th Session of the European Cultural Parliament.
NECE Conference "The Impact of Cultural and Citizenship Education on Social Cohesion"
3-5 December 2009 in Vilnius, Lithuania
This year's NECE Conference focused on the discussion about theoretical perspectives and educational practices against the growing social erosion all over the continent. Strategy Group Members of the “A Soul for Europe” Initiative contributed to the panels “Learning from a successful EU-application” (Kathrin Deventer), "Inclusion Through Participation: How Can Minorities Play a More Formative Role in Civil Society?” (Niccolo Milanese), “Culture as a Driving Force for Social and Political Participation: How can Social Realities be Formed and Changed through the Arts?” (Vania Rodrigues) and “Civic Participation in the Public Sphere: What Do Intergenerational Projects Contribute?” (Sonja Lebos). For more details please check the programme.
Forum Alpbach "Economic, financial and social crisis - Is Europe capable of acting?"
22-23 November 2009, in Vienna, Austria
Within the framework of this two-day symposium, the EU's capability to act in times of crisis was dicussed with international experts from the fields of finance, business, research, media and politics. In the panel "The European Union - what is missing?" Dr. Volker Hassemer, Initiator of the "A Soul for Europe" Initiative, held a speech on the cultural aspects of economics.
Ici là-bas: Europe starts here or over there
24-27 October 2009 in Stockholm, Sweden
In the framework of French theatre company Image Aiguë's project “Europe starts here or over there”, Nicolas Bertrand (Executive Manager of the Company and “A Soul for Europe” Strategy Group member) organized meetings for Sweden’s young civil society, culture activists and local policy-makers to discuss issues raised by the "A Soul for Europe" Initiative. Some members of the Strategy Group were also invited to speak during the Plural! network's conference organised at Södra Teatern. Additionally to the discussions, Image Aiguë performed its creation "Ici là-bas", an example of how culture can support the complex and complicated process of European integration.
15 October 2009 in Frankfurt, Germany
Europe can’t remind its literary figures of their duty, but the European literary figures are able to remind Europe of its duty. In the framework of the Frankfurt Book Fair and organized by the Institute for Foreign Relations (ifa), Strategy Group Member Steve Austen (Netherlands) discussed with the authors Alban Lefranc (France), Andrea Grill (Austra), Beqë Cufaj (Kosovo) how writers see the role of culture in Europe.
8-10 October 2009 in Dresden, Germany
Panel by "A Soul for Europe" on the topic
“European Responsibility for Cultural Policy-Makers in Cities and Regions”
10 October 2009, 11-12:30 a.m.
29-30 September 2009 in Brussels, Belgium
The Access to Culture Platform gave a strong input to the European Culture Forum, being organised by the European Commission. The European House for Culture, acting as the secretariat for the Platform, is delighted with the A Soul for Europe’s valuable contribution. The Forum brought together around 600 participants from culture civil society, Member States and EU-institutions to take stock of progress in implementing the European Agenda for Culture.
11th Stuttgarter Schlossgespräch “Creating Europe – Involving Youth!“
9-10 July 2009 in Stuttgart, Germany
As “A Soul for Europe”- Strategy Group members, Gabriella Gönczy (Journalist, Berlin/Budapest) and Farid Tabarki (Coolpolitics, Amsterdam) actively participated in the 11th Stuttgarter Schlossgespräche.
Jazz Highlight Moers Festival 2009
29 May - 1 June 2009 in Moers, Germany
Steve Austen, co-founder of the “A Soul for Europe" Initiative held a commemorating speech at the Moers Festival 2009.
transeuropa 2009: Civil Conference "Europe today. A manual"
16 May in Hildesheim, Germany
Andreas Bock: An Utopien stricken, 19 May 2009
11th Franco-German Dialogue: "Europe on the move or movement in Europe? – (Social) Plans in and for Europe"
14-15 May 2009 at the European Academy in Otzenhausen, Germany
Bernhard Schneider participated in the workshop "What structure for what purposes – on the future institutional architecture of the EU.
European Atelier for Young Festival Managers
26 April - 3 May 2009 in Varna, Bulgaria
Nele Hertling and Hugo de Greef from "A Soul for Europe" acted as mentors for 45 young festival managers from 30 countries which took part in the one week course.
26-27 March 2009 in Prague, Czech Republic
Kathrin Deventer from "A Soul for Europe" participated in the Forum organised by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic with the support of the European Commission.
Forum "City and Art"
5-8 March 2009 in Istanbul, Turkey
Nele Hertling spoke in the panel "Metropolitan Culture, European Policies and Art Universities". In the framework of this conference, organised by Strategy Group member Mahir Namur, a one-day Working Meeting of Strategy Group took place, kindly supported by the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
26-28 February 2009 in Turin, Italy
Nele Hertling took part in the panel "Accessibility of Culture and its Relations to the Citizens".
