The Power of Culture

For the European Union, culture and development mainly exist to promote trade relations and economic co-operation. The new member states have not made the arts their main concern either. However, one exception to this is the European policy for the ACP countries.

Since the 1990s, culture has occupied an increasingly prominent place on the international agenda. But the discussion about whether and how culture contributes to combating poverty and sustainable development has far to go. Part one in a series about culture and development policy in donor countries.

Culture is increasingly prominent on the international agenda. But the discussion about whether and how culture contributes to combating poverty and sustainable development has far to go. Part two in a series about culture and development policy by donor countries: Finland.

Culture is increasingly prominent on the international agenda. But the discussion about whether and how culture contributes to combating poverty and sustainable development has far to go. Part three in a series about culture and development policy by donor countries: Switzerland.

Culture is nothing less than a human right and an essential force for development, according to the Norwegian directorate for development collaboration. According to the Norwegians, supporting cultural heritage is a tool for achieving other development objectives such as fighting poverty.

France likes to cherish, protect and promote its own culture. No fewer than 367 French cultural institutes in 145 countries, including 219 offices of Alliance Française, try to offer a counterbalance to the dominant Anglo-Saxon culture in the world.

Britain's culture and development policy focuses most of its efforts on networks and exchanges. In addition, many of its artistic projects include a social dimension, such as democracy, human rights, the environment and gender issues.

Cultural policy in Germany is based on the humanistic tradition in which 'culture for everyone' and 'cultural multiformity' is central. Promoting understanding between cultures to prevent conflicts is the foremost principle of the German international culture policy.

Austria does not a have a well-defined strategy regarding culture and development but there are, nevertheless, various projects in progress. Most visible are those carried out by the Wiener Institut für Entwicklungsfragen und Zusammenarbeit ( VIDC),which was founded in 1987.

According to the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( Danida) "culture may be used as a tool for development and greater mutual understanding among nations". The Danish Center for Culture and Development (DCCD) promotes the cultural cooperation between Denmark and several developing countries as a parastatal institution under Danida.