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Event Reviews “Censorship and Freedom in Traditional and New Media: The Revolution of Media as a tool of Freedom of Expression“
(Berlin, International Conference, February 28th - March 2nd, 2012)  Watch a Video Keynote Speech by the Hon. Frank William La Rue, UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to freedom of Opinion and Expression
 The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy recognises the importance of alleviating these issues worldwide and seeks to promote greater freedom of speech across the globe. Within the Institute itself, we promote free speech often inviting speakers oppressed in their own countries to participate in conferences and events. We aim to set an example to the rest of the world and promote freedom of expression within the International System. The ICD recognises that freedom of expression is not considered to be a natural right in certain forms of government, states and cultures and wishes to provide to a greater audience a greater understanding of these differences in order to promote awareness of problems and facilitate key changes. With such a variety of issues and cultural differences encapsulated within the topic of ‘freedom of expression’, The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy has the unique ability to use Cultural Diplomacy as a soft power vehicle to address the issue both broadly and specifically. With our understanding and experience engaging different traditions, religions, backgrounds and governments, and through our activity of conducting research, organizing conferences and programs, creating dialogue between the key stakeholders and through the publishing of official recommendations, the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy’s Initiative on Freedom of Expression aims to enhance and expand upon global policies and international attempts to address the problem of censorship and oppression where other institutes and governments cannot. The Freedom of Expression team will identify the lesser known international issues, such as clamp down’s of public television freedom in Ecuador, The closing of Wikipedia in Italy and the fight for full freedom of expression in Uzbekistan. It is our belief that by focusing on three issues which may not be high in the public conscious, we can be pioneers and not simply another cog in the Human rights Pro Bono machine. We would hope to publicise these issues to a wider audience. The nature of the issue will allow for a real ‘hands on’ approach. This will also allow for a future collaboration with other local activists and experienced lawyers who can provide diplomatic links on an international field. The Initiative will Debut in London as an auxiliary part of the ICD Human Rights Conference in November. There will be 4 evening conference between the 22nd- 25th November. Each night will host one of the four new Human Rights Initiatives started by the ICD. The conference on Freedom of Expression will take the for of a panel discussion, addressing the three topic issues outline earlier, along with discussion within the general remit of human rights and specifically freedom of expression. It is our hope that this initiative along with the three other new human Rights based schemes will go on to form a long term programmes here at the ICD. The initiative was created for the people by the people and we believe it will remain a passion at the ICD and for staff past, present and future. If you would like to get more information about this initiative or to support it please contact us via: freedomofexpression@culturaldiplomacy.org |