The Language of Art & Music

"A Three Piece Puzzle: The Relationship between Culture, International Relations and Globalization"

London; August 25th - 29th, 2011
Held Parallel to "The Notting Hill Carnival 2011"

Conference Agenda

The conference will focus in particular on the following issues, and will be followed by a variety of social and cultural activities:

The Reality of 21st Century Multiculturalism
(Focus: An Exploration of Its impact on and importance to the International Community and the challenges of implementing Successful policies)

Interpreting and Understanding of Culture in the Past, Present and Future
(Focus: The essence of culture, The development of cultural expression, The extent to which a global culture is emerging, Moving beyond definitions of “high” and “low” culture)

The Formation and Expression of Cultural Identity
(Focus: Is cultural identity inherited or created? The implications of global migration for cultural identity, Does culture matter in defining national and regional identities? The politicization of identity and implications for government, Are nationalism and fundamentalism by products of globalization? The challenges and opportunities of identity and integration, The European Union and the emergence of a European identity)

The Evolution of Cultural Interaction
(Focus: The extent of globalization’s impact on local culture, Technological advances and cultural exchange, The development of transnational communities, Cultural interpretations of globalization, The democratization of the media: a global phenomenon? The emergence of budget travel and the consequences for intercultural interaction, Does cultural identity divides more than it bridges peoples? Is globalization a synonym for Americanization?)

Religion and Modernity
(Focus: The evolution of religious expression since 1945, Does globalization limit or accelerate the spread of religious dogmas? Exploring the religious rights and responsibilities of migrant communities, Does the global reach of religion provide solutions or problems for peace and stability? The role of religious leaders in generating multilateral dialogue
Assessing the political, cultural, and religious points of conflict in the Middle East)

The Influence of Language in Intercultural Relations:
(Focus: The relationship between culture, ethnicity, and language, The impact of globalization on minority languages, The challenges and opportunities of the spread of the English language, The role of governments in promoting language education)

Culture, Globalization, and International Relations over the Next two Decades
(Focus: the role of culture in global politics, Is globalization building or burning the bridge between culture and politics?
The new global competition for winning hearts and minds, Do diasporas serve as cultural ambassadors or as political agitators? Cosmopolitanism and the rise of global citizenship, Cultural relativism and the concept of universal human rights)

The Role of Culture in Tackling Global Challenges
(Focus: Cultural understanding as a prerequisite for sustainable cooperation on climate change, Culture as a gateway or barrier to conflict resolution, Cultural obstacles in the path of China’s “peaceful rise”, Will culture smooth the transition towards the “New” New World Order? Disaster relief as cultural diplomacy, How can culture and the arts be best utilized to address socio-economic inequalities, both within and between states? Cultural dissonance as the catalyst for international terrorism, Can intercultural relations and dialogue serve to prevent the spread of AIDS in Africa?)

The following issues will be mentioned and explored:
  • The use of Culture and Communication in National Foreign Policies (Focus: case studies from US, UK, and Germany)
  • The Role of Artistic and Cultural Expression in providing a Platform for strengthening Intercultural Relations at the Regional, National, and Local Levels
  • New Trends and Tendencies in Cultural Expression (Focus: Contemporary and experimental arts)
  • Art and Political Activism (Focus: Free speech, protest art, Graffiti, and artistic controversy)
  • The Relationships between Artists, Global Politics and Society and the Potential of the Arts to be a Diplomatic Tool (Focus: Artists as both informal and formal ambassadors)
  • Artistic Expression as a Means of Social Engagement and Education (Focus: community work with young people, integration of minority communities)
  • Culture, Art and the Visibility of Discrimination (Focus: racism, ageism, gender)
  • Sports as Cultural Diplomacy (Focus: The use of sporting initiatives to promote peace and development
  • The Role of State-Supported Cultural Institutions in Promoting Culture and Values Abroad