UNESCO Seminar: Artistic Freedom in the South-East Asian Context

UNESCO Bangkok is organizing a two-day, online seminar to facilitate a better understanding of artistic freedom in the South-East Asian context under the framework of the ‘2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions’ (hereafter ‘2005 Convention’ or ‘Convention’) and its overall goal.

The seminar will introduce to government entities and civil society organizations (CSOs) in the creative sector; cultural and creative professionals and artists the topic of artistic freedom and measures to protect and promote artistic freedom throughout South-East Asia.

The ‘Artistic Freedom’ seminar will especially explore two fundamental issues that are being monitored within the Convention’s framework, namely the protection and promotion of 1) freedoms of creation and expression and participation in cultural life; and 2) the social and economic rights of artists and cultural professionals. The latter issue especially has been receiving increased attention over the last several years, as the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a number of shortcomings in this area due to the informal nature of much cultural employment in the region.

Through exchanges among government officials, cultural experts, and leaders of CSOs in the region, the seminar will highlight successful measures that have been implemented to promote artistic freedom and discuss how artists and civil society can participate in designing related cultural policies. The seminar will also identify priority issues that can be collectively addressed in the upcoming, post-pandemic period by concerned stakeholders in government and civil society.

The 2005 Convention is an international legal instrument ratified by 149 Parties, ensuring that artists, cultural professionals, and creative practitioners – as well as all citizens – have the capacity to create, produce, disseminate and enjoy a broad range of cultural goods, services and activities.

Date: 2–3 August 2022
Time: 14.00–17.00, Bangkok time (UTC+7)
Where: Zoom Conferencing
Host: Culture Unit, UNESCO Bangkok
Language: English

Join Zoom Meeting
https://unesco-org.zoom.us/j/87582169620
Meeting ID: 875 8216 9620
Passcode: unes02

DAY ONE: 2 August 2022
ARTISTIC FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

14.00–14.10
WELCOMING REMARKS (UNESCO Bangkok)
Presentation of the background to and objectives of the ‘Artistic Freedom’ seminar, including mentioning recent reports on cultural industries in Thailand, as well as Thailand’s interest in becoming a state party to the Convention.

14.10–14.30
BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE 2005 CONVENTION (UNESCO Bangkok)
What is the UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, and why is the 2005 Convention considered a milestone in international cultural policy?

14.30–15.15
ARTISTIC FREEDOM IN THE 2005 CONVENTION (UNESCO 2005 Convention Secretariat)
What has led to an increase in interest in artistic freedom and why is it included in the 2005 Convention’s monitoring framework? Introduction to the concept of artistic freedom and its definition by the 2005 Convention. Introduction to main motivations, mechanisms and arguments for challenging artistic freedom globally and historically, and the artistic freedom landscape today

UNESCO VIDEO: A QUESTION ON ARTISTIC FREEDOM
Comments and Q&A

15.15–15.45
EXPERIENCES FROM ASEM AND IFACCA
Comments and Q&A

15.45–16.15
FREEDOM OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION IN THE REGION (Mekong Cultural Hub)
Comments and Q&A

16.15–16.45
ARTISTIC FREEDOM IN THAILAND (Phitchakan Chuangchai)
Comments and Q&A

16.45–17.00
SUMMING UP

DAY TWO: 3 August 2022
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RIGHTS

14.00–14.15
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION TO SESSION (UNESCO Bangkok)

14.15–14.45
SOCIAL & ECONOMIC RIGHTS IN THE CONVENTION AND SOME EXAMPLES OF BEST PRACTICES (Ole Reitov)
Comments and Q&A

14.45–15.15
SOCIAL & ECONOMIC RIGHTS – CHALLENGES AND RESULTS IN INDONESIA (Koalisi Seni)
Comments and Q&A

15.15–15.45
SOCIAL & ECONOMIC RIGHTS IN THAILAND (Phitchakan Chuangchai)
Comments and Q&A

15.45–16.30
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Discussions on priorities for more in-depth seminars/workshops