Call for expressions of interest on "Culture sector Platforms".

As announced at the information session "the European agenda for culture : involving civil society" organised on 19 February 2008, the European Commission published on its website : a call for expressions of interest on "Culture sector Platforms".

http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/communication/civil_society_en.html

This call is intended to give organisations from the culture civil society the opportunity to express their interest in participating in the structured dialogue with the European Commission.

Interested parties are invited to respond to the European Commission by 15 April 2008 using the form at their disposal.

Before filling the form, read carefully the accompagnying call. Local and regional authorities, members of Les Rencontres, please note that "The platforms are intended for organisations of civil society only. Public authorities, whether national, regional or local, are not invited to participate. They will be offered other channels for contributing to the European Agenda."

Les Rencontres will pay attention to those "other channels" because our network has a role to play in that arena, we can not sufficiently stress it.

MA in Creative Cities .... Rethinking Urban and Regional Development

This challenging and dynamic programme provides students with a basis for exploring key elements of twenty-first century urban and regional change, including creativity, cultural planning, globalisation and innovation. The MA in Creative Cities offers cutting-edge engagement with key debates in contemporary urban and regional research. Drawing upon the School of Geography's internationally recognised strengths, the degree programme explores the interconnections between geographies of economic restructuring, cultural practices and the production of space.

The MA in Creative Cities is designed for those who intend to pursue a future career in urban and regional development, private sector property and retail development, or those who wish to undertake further research in urban economic and cultural geography. Recent graduates are now employed in research and consultancy roles in both the private and public sectors.

You can download the MA brochure from this link .

In light of the multi-disciplinary approach of the MA, we do not require a first degree in Geography - we welcome applications from related discipline such as Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, Urban Planning and Architecture. You can find out more about the academic staff involved and their research interests at: http://www.geog.soton.ac.uk/research/ecs

Full information regarding admissions to the MA in Creative Cities can be found on the School of Geography website at: http://www.geog.soton.ac.uk/tprog/macc

Applications can be made online via the University of Southampton website at: http://www.soton.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgstudy/howdoiapplypg.html

The deadline for application is 1st of May 2008.

The School of Geography @ University of Southampton offers several half-fee scholarships (representing half of EU/"Home" fees) to give you the opportunity to join the MA in Creative Cities...Rethinking Urban and Regional Development

You can download the MA brochure from this link http://www.geog.soton.ac.uk/tprog/macc/Documents/MA_Creative_Cities.pdf

Exhibition "Tide Mills of Western Europe"

The exhibition is available for those interested between the beginning of November 2008 until mid December 2008 and from April 2009 onwards.

This site is at your disposal to spread information about other activities related with tide mills.

Kind regards

Cláudia Silveira

Ecomuseu Municipal do Seixal

Praça 1º de Maio

2840-485 Seixal

Portugal

Intercultural Cities Conference 1-3 May 2008 Liverpool. An official UK event for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008

In the cities of today and tomorrow, how can people from different cultures really live together - rather than just rub along side one another?
As part of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, the Intercultural Cities Conference, will look at migration, diversity and urban life in a fresh way. New thinking is needed on how diverse communities can co-operate in productive harmony instead of leading parallel or antagonistic lives. The conference is organised by EUCLID and Comedia, in association with the Liverpool Culture Company, and with the support of the European Commission and the Council of Europe.
Taking place in this year's European Capital of Culture the conference will not only provide an opportunity to look at how different cultures can live together but how mixing can be turned to economic, social and cultural advantage - key issues particularly for those responsible for planning and regeneration, the local economy, community cohesion, education and the cultural services. The three day event will feature various European and international speakers, such as globalisation guru Saskia Sassen, the world authority on diversity and city planning Leonie Sandercock, Lord Bhikhu Parekh, who says it is time to rethink multiculturalism, city leadership expert Carol Coletta, Keith Khan who leads the campaign to make the London 2012 Olympics an unprecedented intercultural festival, and leading European city politicians including Ilda Curti and Pascale Bonniel Chalier (Distinguished member of Les Rencontres, City of Lyons).

Full details can be found here .

Hearing on the implementation of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions

Ruth Hieronymi informed us that the Committee on Culture and Education of the European Parliament organised this hearing on 27th February 2008, 10.00-12.30h at the European Parliament in Brussels ASP 3G2.

The Representation of the European Commission in the Czech Republic, the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic invite you to the Official Opening of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 in the Czech Republic, which will take place on February 25th beginning at 3pm in the Archa Theatre (Na Poříčí 26, Prague 1).

The Official Opening is prepared in cooperation with the Arts Institute-Theatre Institute, the National Coordination Body for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 in the Czech Republic.

Please find the programme of the event below :

Official opening of EYID in CR

The Creative Construct: Building for Culture and Creativity symposium 28th April - May 2008 Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa, Canada

The Creative Construct: Building for Culture and Creativity symposium will bring together participants from around the world to exchange the latest ideas and practices on the development of cultural and creative spaces; cultural planning and investment strategies for cultural infrastructure and cultural districts; and collaborative approaches to enhancing the cultural vitality, creative potential, and competitiveness of cities and communities.
The Symposium is a dynamic and unique opportunity to significantly advance our understanding of national and global cultural infrastructure issues and opportunities, and to frame our long-term thinking on the needs, challenges, and opportunities that are embodied in culture, diversity, heritage, and sustainability.

http://www.symposium2008.ca/e/registration.html