Cultural Leaders Meet in Damascus to Discuss and Debate the Challenges Facing the Cultural Sector in the Arab World

DAMASCUS, Syria, November 16 - On 18 & 19 November 2009, more than 80 people from across the
Arab world, the UK and Europe will come together in Damascus for a 2-day
British Council-run conference on 'Cultural Leadership and the Arab World' to
share knowledge and experience on the key issues facing the cultural sector
in the Arab world. The conference will involve panel discussions, plenary
sessions, and cultural activities, and will act as a platform for an
international networking opportunity for senior influencers and next
generation cultural leaders and operators.

This conference coincides with the pilot year of the new
global British Council programme, 'Cultural Leadership International' which
works with future cultural leaders in Europe and the Middle East through
professional development and international networking - with the aim of
strengthening the role of the arts and culture in society. The conference is
a direct response to some of the major themes highlighted in an extensive
consultation phase, which was undertaken for this project in the region last
year.

Elizabeth White, Director British Council Syria, commented:
'I'm very glad that the British Council is welcoming this conference to
Damascus. This promises to be an extraordinarily interesting and important
event, during which this distinguished group of participants from across the
Arab World and from Europe will be sharing a wealth of knowledge and
experience and ideas around the development of cultural leadership. We
believe strongly in the potential of culture in shaping the future of our
societies - and indeed the relations between different societies; and we
recognise the significant role of leaders in the cultural sector. Our hope is
that this conference - and its consequences - will inform and inspire both
the networks of cultural leaders of today, in and around the Arab World - and
also those who wait in the wings.'

The conference will consist of four panel discussions with
speakers from the UK, Europe, the USA, and the Arab world. Themes revolve
around:

Access to culture looking at the role of arts in society; how
culture impacts on quality of life, what social support exists for culture
and its effectiveness. Guest speakers for this panel include Hassan Abbas
from Syria, Mohamed Amine Moumine from Morocco, Jereyes Samawi from Jordan,
Ramzi Abou Redwan from Palestine and Brendan Keany from the UK.

Arab modernity in a post-global era: current thinking and art
practices looking at what Arabic cultural specificity means in the region's
current arts sector which is largely shaped and influenced by Euro-American
models at every level. Guest speakers for this panel include Moataz Nasr from
Egypt, Rasheed Araeen from the UK, and Rasha Salti from Lebanon.

Arts in the present day: economic and social realities looking
at the context in which cultural operators work; examining for example the
dominance of political and institutional agendas, complex socio-political
tensions, and the impact of these conditions on artists and practitioners.

Guest speakers include Naif Al Mutawa from Kuwait, Andreu
Claret from Egypt, Orwa Nyrabiah from Syria, Peter Jenkinson from the UK, and
Ousama Ghanam from Syria.

Leadership and sustainability looking at existing models of
leadership in the cultural sector in the region; from an individual and
organisational perspective. Guest speakers include Leila Barakat from
Lebanon, Russell Willis Taylor from the US, Philip Goodwin from the UK,
Mokhtar Kocache from Egypt, and Faten Farhat from Palestine.

About British Council

The British Council (www.britishcouncil.org/arts-about-us-who) is
the UK's international organisation for educational opportunities and
cultural relations. We build engagement and trust for the UK through the
exchange of knowledge and ideas between people worldwide.

For more information please contact Rana Moughabghab, Regional
Projects Communications Manager, British Council, NENA,
rana.moughabghab@lb.britishcouncil.org or on +961(0)70-119740
(www.britishcouncil.org/arts-about-us-who)

For more information please contact Rana Moughabghab, Regional Projects Communications Manager, British Council, NENA, rana.moughabghab at lb.britishcouncil.org or on +961(0)70-119740 (www.britishcouncil.org/arts-about-us-who)