Cultural Contact Point Slovenia (SCCA–Ljubljana) is cordially inviting you to the international conference Re-network! on networking and stimulating transnational cooperation and free flow of information in the cultural sector that will take place at the City Hotel Ljubljana / Conference Center (Dalmatinova 15, Ljubljana) on Thursday, 12 June 2008 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Content:
1. General information
2. Target Group
3. Conference programme
4. Registration
5. Further information
6. Short overview of the conference

1. General information

Date and location: Thursday, 12 June 2008 at City Hotel Ljubljana / Conference Center (Dalmatinova 15, Ljubljana) from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Working language: English

Short overview:
Networking in arts and culture has had a long tradition in Europe and there is hardly any professional organisation that is not a member of at least one international network. However, networks as well are facing radical changes affecting cultural industries: new technologies enabling free flow of works and information, audience being transformed into active users… It seems that the only problem to be solved remains free flow of persons, i.e. transnational mobility of people working in the cultural sector.
With the special emphasis put on the intercultural dialogue between the EU and SEE the conference’s aim is to find out how “old” and “new” cultural networks respond to these circumstances and how they manage the problem of free flow of information especially if relevant to transnational cooperation.

The conference will be opened with the introductory speeches by Barbara Koželj, director-general of the Directorate for Art, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia and Marko Peljhan, ambassador of Intercultural Dialogue. Alenka Pirman , artist and founding member of the Domestic Research Society, will moderate discussion with the representatives of EU & SEE cultural networks: Daphne Tepper (Culture Action Europe - EFAH), Pål Steigan (TEH), Vesna Milosavljević (inSEEcp), Juan Carlos De Martin (COMMUNIA), Dragana Alfirević (Balkan Dance Network).
Moreover, two keynote speakers will present their views on and experience in networking and free flow of information: Péter Inkei (Budapest Observatory) and Vuk Ćosić (net artist).

2. Target Group

The conference is addressed to individuals and organizations that are members of different European networks. With the special emphasis put on the intercultural dialogue between the EU and SEE, the conference’s aim is to find out how “old” and “new” cultural networks respond to these circumstances and how they manage the problem of free flow of information especially if relevant to transnational cooperation.

3. Conference programme

The international conference dedicated to the topic of networking and stimulating transnational cooperation and free flow of information in the cultural sector hosted altogether 150 participants, mainly representatives of various international cultural networks, including ca. 50 delegates of European Cultural Contact Points.
A lively and sincere discussion involving speakers as well as the audience has reaffirmed the absolute significance of transnational networks while highlighting their specific roles as:

enablers of the decentralisation of cultural industry.

In general it was stressed that culture should not be seen as a mean (illustration, decoration, PR) but as a value as such. As a concrete example of anachronistic notion of the role of culture in our society, the obsolete and unproductive category of »Ambassadors« supported within the EU Culture Programme was pointed out. This financial support should be rather used to stimulate networks and festivals which can actually enhance transnational cooperation.
Appropriate conditions on the national and regional levels as well should enable and enhance transnational cooperation through programmes stimulating mobility of cultural workers. The EU support programmes should broaden the geographical scope and substantially include the EU neighbourhood (more should be invested on future Members and regions “on the borders”).
Existing definitions related to networks are out of date and networks should adopt more innovative conceptions of operation and contemporary, synthetic approach. We should avoid thinking in paradigm of a rigid and stable structure (‘network’) but rather of a fluid and changing process (‘networking’).

Video clip from the Re-network! conference:

by toni poljanec on Vimeo.

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The international conference entitled Re-network! represents a public part of the Informal meeting of European Cultural Contact Points (CCP Meeting ) taking place in Ljubljana and Maribor from 11 to 14 June 2008 as one of the official events within the Slovene EU Presidency cultural programme. The CCP meeting is organized by Cultural Contact Point Slovenia / SCCA, Centre for Contemporary Arts–Ljubljana, the national EYID 2008 partner, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, the European Commission (DG EAC) and Executive Agency (EACEA), Kibla – Association for Culture and Education, Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia and other partners.
This conference reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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Supported by:

Thanks!
Cultural Contact Points Croatia, Macedonia, and Serbia, Slovenia Times, City Hotel Ljubljana