U40 Arabesque Call

U40

Call for Young Cultural Change Makers

Network on Cultural Policies and Cooperation for Cultural Change Capacity Shaping Workshop & Network for Young Experts from the Arab Region

Kick-off from 13 to 17 October 2014, Jordan

 

WHAT and WHY?

In the framework of its programme CONNEXXIONS, the German Commission for UNESCO is offering a platform to create a self-organised regional network on cultural policies and cooperation for cultural change. This invitation is addressed to young cultural experts coming from Arab countries in transformation processes.

The “U40 Arabesque” network aims at being a forum to advocate for cultural participation, to create strategic partnerships and self-organisation of civil society actors in the cultural field, to position young experts and their work into a wider context of international cultural policies and to exchange information, knowledge and practices in the field of promoting cultural diversity.

The kick-off of this process is a workshop to take place in Jordan from 13 to 17 October 2014, organised by the German Commission for UNESCO in cooperation with AlBalad Theatre.

“U40 Arabesque” is part of the global U40 Network “Cultural Diversity 2030”, a network of young experts from all over the world. The U40 Network is an independent civil society actor and gives a voice to young experts (under 40) in the implementation and promotion of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. It represents a concrete step towards the implementation of the Convention, by stimulating debates and ideas to better formulate cultural policies for cultural diversity throughout the world. As a platform for capacity building, innovative ideas, information, and knowledge sharing, the network aims to foster a better understanding and implementation of the Convention.

CONNEXXIONS is a project of the German Transformation Partnership, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. It aims at strengthening democracy and cultural participation in the Arab region. CONNEXXIONS is supporting the social, political and cultural transformation processes in the region through capacity building, exchange of experiences, knowledge transfer and networking.

Programme Elements and Methodology

  1. In-depth training on the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (inputs from and discussions with international experts)
  2. Re-energize the U40 Arabesque Network – link with other existing cultural networks and initiatives in the Arab region (network-building through self-organisation)
  3. Contextualise work and projects of young cultural activists into international cultural policy frameworks (understanding the 2005 Convention through peer-to-peer learning)
  4. Open up new scope of action and participation (self-organisation as a tool of democratisation)

FOR WHOM?

The German Commission for UNESCO invites young cultural change makers and networkers (20 to 40 years old) from the Arab region who are

  • interested in being part of a regional and international network on cultural cooperation, change and diversity
  • committed to bring in one’s own expertise
  • open for diverse perspectives
  • ready to participate during the kick-off meeting (13 to 17 October 2014) and beyond
  • involved in a tangible way in cultural activities for change, cooperation and diversity, be it as civic activists and initiators, artists and cultural professionals, directors, artistic and cultural producers, facilitators, educators, researchers, NGOs/associations/cultural networks, cultural operators/specialists/managers, bloggers….

HOW?

People under the age of 40 who are committed to participate in this work-in-progress network are invited to send their application form via email in English, French or Arab, consisting of a

  • short communication about their experiences/ actions/ partnerships/ projects/ networks
  • short paragraph explaining/illustrating their motivation to be part of a regional network and
  • attaching a short CV (2 pages max.)

by latest until 5 September 2014 to sekretariat(a)unesco.de.

CONDITIONS

All applicants should be available during the period of 13 to 17 October 2014 in order to participate in the kick-off workshop in Jordan, committed to invest time to prepare and follow up the kick-off meeting through online collaboration, reading and investigation as well as to further cooperate in the “U40 Arabesque” network (“give and take”) beyond the kick-off through a jointly defined working process.

The German Commission for UNESCO covers the travel costs (arrival 13 October, departure 17 October 2014), the complete board and lodging during the stay in Jordan (including visa fees, where applicable) for a maximum of 17 people coming from Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Yemen, Libya and up to 10 people from Jordan. Working languages are Arab and English.

Interested candidates from other Arab countries than those mentioned are warmly welcomed, too. They are invited to apply for travel grants i.a. with the following institutions and/or programmes:

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Diversity and complementarities of experiences ensured
  • Level of commitment to invest in regional and international networking
  • Potential to act as multiplier
  • Geographic distribution and gender balance (men/women)

Successful applicants will be informed by 23 September 2014.

CALL and APPLICATION FORM in Arab version