2008 and beyond: European cultural centres live intercultural dialogue

PROJECT FAIR ‘08
2008 and beyond:
European cultural centres
live intercultural dialogue
3rd European Project Fair of the ENCC
Brussels | 1-3 October 2008
DOCUMENTATION
1
CONTENT
Introduction ____________________________________ 3
Opening session _________________________________ 4
Panel debate ____________________________________ 6
Visit of the project fair _____________________________ 9
Workshops ______________________________________ 17
Visit of two community centers ______________________ 20
Last day of the project fair __________________________ 20
List of participants _________________________________ 21
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I
n the context of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008, the
ENCC dedicated this edition of the European Project Fair to the urgent
topic of ‗intercultural dialogue‘. The 3rd European Project Fair of Cultural
Centres entiteld ‗2008 and beyond: European cultural centres live intercultural
dialogue.’ was organised in Brussels, from 1st to 3rd of October 2008 and
gathered around 150 participants from 11 countries in Brussels, Belgium.
The project fair offered the participants an invaluable opportunity to exchange
expertise and build up new contacts for possible joint Europe-wide projects in the
future. Along with the fair, the ENCC prepared an ambitious program. The
program was very intense with a panel debate on human resources in the cultural
centres (with focus on minorities on the workfloor), workshops on funding
opportunities as Grundtvig and European Voluntary Service, experience exchange
on regional cooperation and competences of technical staff. Stands of 30
different cultural centres made a lot of projects visible in a succesful fair of real
exchange. At the end, participants were informed on next ENCC-activities,
participation at the culture platforms of the EU and the ENCC-program of staff
exchange.
Once more the project fair proved its relevance for so many enthousiastic
participants. Cultural workers built a bridge from their daily work and local context
to European colleagues for exchanging ideas and cooperation. This is not selfevident, but the energy you get in return is priceless.
This documentation reflects only on a limited part of all the information that was
available and offered at the fair, not to mention all the informal meetings, talks,
individual exchanges during these three days ! Maybe the pictures can be proof
of this enthousiastic athmosphere.
The conference was organised by ENCC in cooperation with its Belgian member
networks:
VVC (Vereniging Vlaamse Cultuur- en gemeenschapscentra) - which is the
association of the cultural centres in the Flemish (Dutch-speaking) part of
Belgium.
ASTRAC (Réseau des Centres Culturels de la Communauté Wallonie-Bruxelles)
and ACC (Association des Centres Culturels de la Communauté française
Wallonie-Bruxelles), which are the associations of the cultural centres in the
French-speaking part of Belgium.
Financial support for the European Project Fair 2008 was given by the Flemish
authorities.
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OPENING SESSION
On Wednesday evening 1st of October the ENCC received the participants in the
conference room of the Flemish Parliament – at the heart of democracy.
Piet Van Loocke, president of VVC
Piet Van Loocke, president of the VVC, Liesbeth Vandersteene, director of ASTRAC,
Patrick Besure, president of ASTRAC and Andreas Kämpf, president of the ENCC
welcomed everybody and gave a short introduction to the conference.
Intercultural dialogue and diversity were the keywords of the speeches that
followed.
Patrick Besure, president of ASTRAC
Guy Redig, representative of the Minister of Culture of the Flemish community Bert Anciaux, told about the Flemish ‗actionplan on interculturalisation‘ and the
policy on participation that the Flemish authorities developed in the past years. He
focused on the stimulating and supportive role of the government, and more
specific the role of a department of culture, youth and sports, to ensure that
diversity works. Mr. Redig stressed on the fact that participation is the key when
speaking of diversity or interculturalism. This term ‗participation‘ refers to
participation as in ‗taking part in, being a costumer, a spectator‘ (passive,
receiving) and to participation as in ‗being part of, being a co-owner, a
partner‘ (active, co-deciding).
Liesbeth Vandersteene,
director of ASTRAC
The Flemish minister of culture wants to stimulate diversity in both senses of
participation: more diversity in the public or consumers of culture and more
diversity in the staff, volunteers and board of cultural organizations and
institutions. ‗Diversity‘ can be very broad: gender, wealth, culture, origin, physical
condition, etc… Often diversity in policy refers to minority groups and ethniccultural diversity.
Guy Redig, representative of the
Flemish minister of Culture
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Nouzha Bensalah, representative of the Minister of Culture of the Frenchspeaking community - Fadila Lanaan, focused in her speech on the importance
of intercultural dialogue in a rapidly changing society and the role of the cultural
centres in this context.
Nouzha Bensalah, representative of the
minister of Culture of the French-speaking
community
Pascal Verschuere en José Gonzalez (of the Knowledgepoint on Intercultural
Practices, department of Culture, Youth and Sports, Flemish Government) gave
an introduction on the theme in a European perpective (the European Year of
Intercultural dialogue). The knowledge point was founded to gather best
practices, collect and spread knowledge and methods on interculturalisation and
to establish a network of experts and experienced organizations.
Pascal Verschuere and José Gonzalez
After these interesting speeches, Ronny Mosuse (Belgian singer songwriter) told
about his experiences, best expressed in the songs of his newest album ‗Allemaal
anders‘ (translated in English: ―Everybody different‖). Ronny Mosuse is the
Flemish ambassador for intercultural dialogue. Ronny Mosuse was born on the
17th of May 1971 in Antwerp. His father was Congolese, his mother was Belgian.
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From left to right: Ivo Peeters (moderator), Soeren Soeborg Ohlsen, Danielle St.-Amour, Stefan Haslinger, Ágnes C. Szalai, Andreas Kämpf.
PANEL DEBATE
How to deal with ‘human resources’ in the
cultural centres?
After the welcoming words of Paul Sergier, director of the VVC, the morning
started with an animated debate. The panel debate touched on 3 aspects of the
main topic. Each topic was shortly introduced by an ‗expert‘, who also posed
questions or statements to the panel. The panellists reflected on the topic and
answered the questions referring to their own specific context of their centre and
situation in their own country. Each topic was discussed during 20 minutes.
Finally, the floor was open to everyone and the audience was invited to ask his or
her questions during the last 15 minutes of the session.
Unfortunately we were not able to record the panel debate, so we can‘t report on
the reflections of the panellists or public. The panellists were:
Soeren Soeborg Ohlsen, Huse i Danmark, Denmark
Stefan Haslinger, KUPF—Kulturplatform OO Austria
Andreas Kämpf, president ENCC / Kulturzentrum GEMS Singen, Germany
Ágnes C. Szalai, Veszprém City Clture Center, Hungary
Danielle St-Amour, Salford Museum & Art Gallery, United Kingdom
Moderator: Ivo Peeters, De Zeyp, Belgium
We describe the three main topics that were introduced by the experts:
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Cultural work is labour
Introduced by: Stefan Haslinger (KUPF - Kulturplattform OÖ, Austria)
Input for this debate was the campaign ‗Kulturarbeit ist arbeit‘ of a local network
of local centres and cultural workers in upper Austria. ―The relevance of
autonomous cultural work is not seen in the public. Politicians still think that it is
a kind of leisure and not work. The main perception of the public focuses on the
events offered, but not on the democratic and social impact. To make this work
and the social impact more visible was a target of the campaign.‖
The campaign „Kulturarbeit ist Arbeit― (best translated „cultural work is labour―)
was initiated, to discuss two topics related with cultural work.
The first topic is the reflection of the work cultural workers and organisations do,
besides the parts which are noticed in public. We didn't focus on the arranging of
events or exhibitions. We did focus on the part, which isn't seen in public. The
negotiations inside the organisations, the work on developing, trying, changing
and upholding democratic values. We did focus on cultural work as work on the
society.
Based on this assumption, the second topic was addressed to the policy-makers
in the regional and local governments. Here we tried to sensitise them, to change
the view on cultural work. The assumption therein was, that cultural work is seen
as a hedonistic leisure activity on a voluntarily basis. We tried to convince them,
that cultural work always has a democratic surplus, which needs to be
acknowledged and rewarded.
Competences in cultural centers
Introduced by: Soeren Soeborg Ohlsen (Huse i Danmark)
This topic was introduced by Soeren Soeborg (Huse I Danmark). The network of
Huse I Danmark organised a seminar about the competences in the cultural
centres to discuss and exchange experiences about this. Soeren will present the
results and conclusions of this seminar by a ‗tree of knowledge‘. Main questions
in his introduction are: Which competences / profiles of staff (incl. administration,
technical) are needed to guarantee which quality in your organization? How to
manage these competences and knowledge in your organization.
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Are minorities represented on our work floor?
Introduced by: Krist Biebauw (Cultuur Lokaal, Belgium)
In Flanders only 1% of the workers in welfare have a non-Flemish ethnic
background. There are no figures for the culture sector, but who will claim that
culture performs significantly better than welfare? Yet we are facing a huge
challenge, most of all – but not only – in the major cities. It won‘t take long before
our cities grow into places where words like ―majority‖ and ―minority‖ have lost
their importance. Our cities will simply consist out of many minorities.
How do the cultural centres deal with this challenge? Many experiment with well
meant initiatives to attract ethnic minorities, but only few really succeed. To make
a provocative statement: cultural centres remain mainly middle class institutes,
dealing with the needs of the ―white‖ high educated.
There‘s just no ready made recipe to become more diverse. But there‘s one
certainty. You can only deal with the challenge of diversity in society if you
introduce diversity in your own organisation. If you want to ―seduce‖ people from
ethnic minorities to participate in your activities, then you will have to make clear
that you ―represent‖ them also. Entirely ―white‖ staffs make this a mission
impossible. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can easily deal with this
challenge by just making your cleaning staff coloured…
Bringing in diversity takes an integral approach, taking into account all aspects of
your organisation (mission, strategy, communication, networking, staff, board…). It
might be a good start to take a critical glance at some of your most elementary
recruiting barriers. Barriers that most people take for granted…
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VISIT OF THE PROJECT FAIR
After the debate, it was time to stretch our legs and to visit the fair. A lot of
participants had prepared a stand on the fair that morning (before the debate).
With a sandwich in one hand, people could walk around the stands, ask
eachother for more Information, exchange experiences and thoughts, make new
contacts, etc…
We give you an overview of the stands and the projects that were presented at the
fair.
BELGIUM / Epos vzw
represented by: Renilde Reynders, Paul Stevens
Epos is the national Agency in Flanders for the implementation of the EUprogramme Life Long Learning. Renilde Reynders did also speak in the workshop
in the afternoon about the Grundtvig-programme.
More on Grundtvig on European level and to find the agencies in other countries:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-programme/doc78_en.htm
BELGIUM / Cultural Contactpoint (CCP)
represented by: Gudrun Heymans
The Cultural Contactpoint (CCP) of Flanders (Belgium) for the implementation of
the EU Culture 2007-2013 programme was represented by Gudrun Heymans.
More information on the cultural contactpoints in other countries:
http://ec.europa.eu/culture/annexes-culture/doc1232_en.htm
BELGIUM / Fondation Marcel Hicter, CC La Vénerie
Project: Arthemis, Gender at Work in the cultural sector
Represented by: François-Xavier Lefebvre
Artemis tries to increase the awareness of cultural operators trough « gender ».
Women are mainly represented into the sector and into initial or life long Learning
cultural trainings. But they don‘t access high positions. This is partly due to a
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« gender blind » behaviour of the male « gatekeepers and gate-openers »,
persistent mental barriers and the lack of « gender oriented » pedagogic tools
(women have to study in a male-oriented pedagogic scheme). So Artemis‘s
priorities are:
- to involve all the stakeholders of the cultural sector in the setting up of a
« gender » policy.
- to set up pedagogic tools (taking account of a gender vision of access to
knowledge, transferability, use of know-how in work condition) and build up
trainings to gender approach
- to create links between cultural sectors and other ones (as employment,
economy) to develop some follow up tools (as statistics, career paths) useful to
evaluate policies.
The project is run by 3 partners : Centre Culturel de Watermael-Boitsfort La
Vénérie, Fondation Marcel Hicter and training centre CESEP
BELGIUM / Maison culturelle d’Ath
Project: sustainable development 2007-2027
Represented by: Delphine Legrand en Magali Dereppe
The project 2007<…>2027 has invited the local population to anticipate future
and deliver in a participative and creative way its perception of year 2027. Various
actions were planned: a collect of objects that would be old-fashioned in 2017,
two art exhibitions, a village of sustainable development, conferences and
debates. This citizen initiative aimed at making people become aware that each
individual can be an actor of change, and contributes to build tomorrow‘s world.
Testimonials collected during this project will be preserved until 2027 (collection
available at the stand) when they will help in analyzing the way that society has
evolved at economical, social and environmental levels. It will also show the ability
of a population to influence its own future.
BELGIUM / European Leader + project of the Cultural Centre of
Brabant Wallon about rural development by 2 theatre productions
Represented by: Céline Nogaret and colleguea
Theatre Project "La Noce du Fils" (2005) et les "Folles Funérailles" (2008), project
sustained by different partners: La Maison Éphémère (theatre compagnie), le
Centre culturel du Brabant Wallon et Culturalité en Hesbaye brabançonne (GAL
Leader+) and many different partners in the region.
Un projet de développement pluridisciplinaire en milieu rural :
- création théâtrale qui est l'aboutissement du projet avec des représentations en
plein air dans une ferme en carré caractéristique du patrimoine de l'Est du BW.
Le texte de la pièce se base sur des récits de vie récoltés auprès des habitants de
la région. Acteurs et musiciens (amateurs et professionnels) étaient pour la
plupart de la région. Spectacle accompagné d'un dîner à base de produits du
terroir.
-création littéraire, édition d'un livre avec le texte de la pièce, et passages des
interviews effectués pour créer ce texte.
- création musicale originale avec les musiciens de la région
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BELGIUM / CC Le Fourquet
project: Set-up of a knowledge network / Réseau d’échange de
savoirs
Represented by: Isabelle Devroye, Régine Vandooren, Tan Geok
Khim
What is a knowledge network?
A knowledge network is based on a very simple principle: It puts in contact with
each other people who wish to gain knowledge or acquire a skill and those who
offer to share that knowledge or skill.
Everybody knows something. Anybody can learn to teach it.
They first had the idea in the seventies in a French school where a schoolmistress
had encouraged her students to share their individual knowledge or know-how.
The project then spread from the school to the neighbourhood before developing
throughout the world. Nowadays, there are over 350 networks in France,
Switzerland, Spain, Brazil or Kenya.
The ―Entrelacs‖ (―Tracery‖) knowledge network. The Cultural Centre ―Le Fourquet‖
started its own network 5 years ago and called it ―Entrelacs‖, i.e. ―Tracery‖.It is
open to all, regardless of age, origin, job, level of studies or activities and aims to
be a place for intercultural and intergenerational exchange whose sole currency is
knowledge.
Why ―Entrelacs‖ (―Tracery‖)?
Tracery is an ornamental pattern of lines that cross each other around an axis,
which can be found in Celtic, Arabic, Indian or African art.
For the group of volunteers who initiated the project, ―Entrelacs‖ was a synonym
of crossroads, tangle or connection of separate ends to produce a harmonious
and uninterrupted design.
―Entrelacs‖ (Tracery) was thus a synonym of ―network‖.
In the five years of its existence our network has kept growing and diversifying.
Indeed, it includes about 15 clubs offering exchanges that range from walking to
philosophy, not to mention language learning or the discovery of Brussels.
Walking club, Conversation table in Dutch, Linux, Conversation table in English,
Scrabble duplicate, Walks in the streets of Brussels, Knitting café, Club of
readers of ―le Monde diplomatique‖, Philosophy club, Reading club for adults
BELGIUM / Echo – Agence culturelle de Wallonie picarde
Represented by: Engelbert Petre
Agency of regional cooperation between cultural centres and other cultural and
economic partners. They will also present how they work in the workshop
‗Regional cooperation‘ in the afternoon.
BELGIUM / Concertation des Centres Culturels Bruxellois asbl
Represented by: Fabienne Minsart
La Concertation des Centres Culturels Bruxellois est le réseau qui reunite les 11
centres culturels agrees par la Communatué française à Bruxelles. Nous
souhaiterions presenter nos 11 centres lors de votre rencontre.
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BELGIUM / CC Leopoldsburg
Project: Opening Doors
Represented by: Roger Bouwens , Leen Bouwens
Opening doors is a project under Grundtvig programme, with partners in Belgium,
UK and Malta. A European partnership that will create opportunities for disabled
people to participate in cultural and creative activitites, offering a positive image
of learning disability and raising the profile of the contribution they can make to
their communities.
Read more on http://www.grundtvigopeningdoors.blogspot.com
BELGIUM / CC Beveren
Represented by: Rik Van Daele, Stefanie Audenaerde
The cultural centre of Beveren presents the heritage project ‗The nights of
Cortewalle‘ and an other project for children ‗cultuurzakboekje‘ (‗pocketbook for
culture‘): this is a pocketbook designed for children to write in their experiences
on cultural activities (theatre plays they have seen, etcetera…) - something like a
diary for culture for kids.
BELGIUM / CC Heusden-Zolder
Project : ‘Circo Paradiso’
Represented by: Tom Michielsen, Gert Dehasque
This cultural centre organizes an (art)festival with different partners in town:
cultural center, the academy for fine arts, ..
BELGIUM / CC Lokeren
Project: Loka.Tierra
Represented by: Elke Clompen, Esther Weemaes
Multicultural City-Festival (every 2 years in May), cooperation between services of
Youth, Culture, Integration, Library, local (social & cultural) organizations
LITHUANIA / Public institution Sintautai academy
Represented by: Vitas Girdauskas
Public Institution ―Sintautai Academy‖ is a country side cultural and educational
institution which for the last three years participates in EU cultural projects under
Gruntvig program.
UNITED KINGDOM / Midlands Arts Centre (Birmingham)
Represented by: Michelle Smith
The Midlands Arts Centre is based in Birmingham and offers a wide range arts
activities to participants of all ages and a wide ranging programme of
performances, films and exhibitions, 364 days a year. The building houses 3
performance spaces, a cinema, music, dance and craft studios, 2 galleries and
several public exhibition spaces. We are currently undergoing a major building
project which will improve and extend the facilities for many generations to come.
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BELGIUM / CC Evergem
Project: ‘Zand erover’
Represented by: Sofie Vandaele
―Zand erover!? ― is a project
in a neighborhood in Evergem, called
‗Zandeken‘ (sand). This neighborhood had to disappear because of an expansion
of the harbor of Ghent. All inhabitants of the neighborhood had to move out. So
this project wanted to keep the memories of this ‗lost‘ neighborhood. They worked
closely with the inhabitants to tell their stories and memories about this place,
this neighborhood. They made a documentary and an exhibition to tell the story
and the farewell of the neighborhood ‗zandeken‘.
HUNGARY / Veszprém City Culture Centre
Represented by: Ágnes C. Szalai
The Veszprém City Culture Centre is organising cultural events through the year,
including some with international participation, such as Vivace International Choir
Festival. It is the centre of several sorts of artistic and civilian events,
programmes, festivals, concerts, etc. in the town of 57.000. Recently we are
facing with the fact that the structure of the centre will be radically changed, and
therefore now we are about to open for dissemination of natural sciences for the
youngs, co-operating with the local university and potential other parties abroad.
AUSTRIA / KUPF – Kulturplattform OÖ
Represented by: Stefan Haslinger
The KUPF - Cultural Platform Upper Austria is the umbrella organization
representing the cultural policy interests of over 100 cultural initiatives in Upper
Austria. The KUPF sees itself as taking an active part in cultural policies. It acts on
behalf of its members to secure conditions for regional cultural initiatives, to
improve these conditions and further develop them in cooperation with activists
and protagonists
HUNGARY / Jókai Mór Cultural Center
Represented by: Valéria Turtsányi Veszpréminé
Our institution is the biggest one in the Pápa micro-region. We are mainted or
support by the local authority. We run a theatre, an open air theatre, a cinema, 3
galleries and 3 community houses. Our staff (26 people) works in three
departments (cultural expert, financial and technical). We provide wide choice of
entertainment for citizens and possibility to spend their spare time useful.
Knowledge Network project was financed by European Social Foundation and
Hungarian government. We got 50 million Ft. Papa micro-region- it villages,
settlements-are in disadvantageous situtation (its economy power is very poor,
most of inhabitants are unemployed and the villages getting older and older). By
this project we renovated some cultural houses (which were very bad conditions).
In this renovated buildings we organise some trainings (computer, English
language, knowledge about European Union etc.) for unemployed people. In this
way (with help of trainings) we wanted to lead people in the world of work.
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ROMANIA / The National Association of the Cultural Centres from
Romania
Represented by: Constantin Alupului-Rus
The National Association of the Cultural Centres from Romania appeared taking
into account the following reasons: the necessity of imposing a national cultural
strategy, a strategy that does not exist at this time, the decentralization of the
cultural activity, having also in view the national strategy, the affirmation of the
professional rights of the persons working in this field, the necessity of cooperation between the cultural centres, the necessity of establishing cooperations with cultural centres from Europe and all over the world.
The first project of organizing such an organism was initiated in 1997 by the
director of the Centre for Culture and Arts ―Carmen Saeculare‖ Neamt, prof.
Constantin Alupului-Rus, under the name of the Association of the Directors of the
Cultural Centres. Only two centres entered their names so the association could
not be legalized. The debates were brought forward at the initiatives of the same
director in 2006. The constitution of the association took place in Piatra-Neamt,
on 12 October 2007, with the participation of 13 founder members.
In Romania the notion of cultural centre is newly introduced; the old name was of
cultural establishment .
The Association is willing to receive cultural institutions that do not have the name
of cultural centres. In the acceptation of the association: the cultural centre is a
cultural institution which responds to the cultural needs of the community, by its
activity. So, County Cultural Centres, the Centres for Promoting and Preservation
of the Traditional Cultural, the Centres for Culture and Arts, the Houses of Culture
(with or without juridical personality, the Schools of Art, the Professional
Ensembles aso have the possibility of enter their name in the association.
GERMANY / Ländliche Akademie Krummhörn e.V.
Represented by: Beate Kegler
The Ländliche Akademie Krummhörn e.V. exists since 1982. Actually we offer
about 75 groups of theatre, music, arts, circus, languages, handcraft and dancing
for 800 members (2/3 are younger than 25 years) every week. As we work for
the people of a rural region with bad infrastructure, our offers take place in every
of the 19 small villages and not in a cultural building. Two or three often supraregional or international projects bring people of the several groups together. In
our region we are well-known for our great historic musicals played in regional
languages. Often we work together with cooperation partners from other regions
or countries. Added to these generation-spanning productions we have a focus on
preventive youth projects and lowlevelled social cultural work. Our main aim is to
motivate and empower people to participate and to act creatively in their social
environment.
ROMANIA/ Arad House of Culture
Represented by: Catalin Galben
The Arad House of Culture is a public institution since 1993 and it‘s financed by
the Local Council and by its own. Its usual source of finance is the Local Council of
Arad City (65% Local Council, 35% own sources). The permanent staff employed
by the institution is around 15 persons.
During the years, the Arad House of Culture managed to become an important
landmark of promoting a qualitative culture. It is permanently present in the
cultural and artistic life of Arad, trying to encourage all the qualitative and
valorous artistic forms. It wants to give support especially for independent
theatre/music/art groups, to assure possibilities and conditions for young artists.
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For this reason, we usually prefer unconventional places for all the events
organized by us.
The Arad House of Culture is concerned with organizing the biggest theatre
festival from Romania dedicated to independent and alternative theatre. The
ARAD-FUN Chamber Theatre and Underground Festival gathers each year the
most important alternative theatre companies from Romania and abroad. It had
already its 6th edition in 2008.
The Arad House of Culture develops good relationships with different culture
institutions and associations from Hungary (Pecs, Szeged), France or Italy.
Arad House of Culture has worked together with Pecs Cultural Centre from
Hungary in exchanging music groups. The two towns, Arad and Pecs are partner
towns. In this relationship the collaboration between CCM and Pecs Cultural
Centre plays an important role. CCM Arad worked also in a project financed by the
Hungarian Ministry of Culture in 2005.
CCM participates with different performances at the International Theatre Festival
in Avignon – the most important European festival.
GERMANY / Haus Drei, Soziokulturelles Zentrum
Represented by: Hilde Bleeken
Haus Drei is a cultural community centre in Hamburg-Altona, one of Hamburg‘s
most densely populated boroughs of Hamburg with a diverse population
concerning ethnical background, economical setting and life style. Haus Drei was
founded in 1977; it has 10 part time employees and today 3 employees of
governmental programs plus free lance workers.
Programs: Cultural events for adults: plays, concerts, comedy, exhibitions /
Journeys to the Arts for senior citizen / Open House for kids, co operations with
neighbouring schools, holiday programms / Women‘s Night: Concerts, panel
discussions, lecture talks, parties / Workshops: Carpentry, pottery / Festivals:
altonale spaßparade, altonale citizen parade, final of Hamburg‘s largest annual
cultural street festival / ElblesbenSpektakel, annual regional 3 days festival for
lesbians / Mädchenspektakel, annual 1 day festival for girls and young women /
Park Fest, bi-annual event in cooperation with neighbouring institutions
GERMANY / zakk / LAG Soziokultur NRW
Represented by Jochen Molk
Zakk means ‗Center for action, culture and communication‘ and is situated in an
old factory buidling, not far from the central station of Duesseldorf, the state
capital of North Rhine-Westphalia. Zakk offers a nearly daily programm of live
Music, satirical revues, literature, political discussions, art exhibitions, or internet
activities. Zakk is also a meeting point for various non-profit groups of people, like
Amnesty International, Greenpeace, … Zakk supports or initiates several local
projects, organizes benefit-concerts, info-parties or just gives room and
infrastructure for people to organize their own affairs, like political meetings,
music or theatre festivals.
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GERMANY / MOTTE-Stadtteil&Kulturzentrum
Represented by: Griet Gäthke
For more than 30 years MOTTE is working in the fields: childcare, youth work,
cultural education, voluntary work (10 Workshops/100 volunteers), cultural
programs + courses, media work, neighbourhoodmanagement + urban
devolpment ( network and partnerships with 150 collaboration-partners).
Interdisciplinary + innovative projects in the fields: vocational training, mediacompetence, cultural education. Initiator of media + voluntary networks, the
cultural festival altonale (international partnerships/collaborations with the
consulates in Hamburg) and schoolmodels (PS.A Produktionsschule Altona). At the
moment we are working on organizing a network for exchange programs in the
Baltic region developing projects with partners in the fields of cultural education.
CROATIA / The Tresnjevka Cultural Centre
Represented by: Ljiljana Perisic
Trešnjevka Cultural Centre, situated in Towns most populated boroughs;
Trešnjevka Sjever and Trešnjevka Jug – with over 150 000 population, works both
as a neighbourhood (socio-cultural) spot and as a meeting piont for various
cultural and artistic events. We try to both encourage artists in their expression
and put emphasize on differences among them.
Main fields of activities are cultural education, art education, cultural interest
development, amateur art promotions, as well as, planning and conduction of
various programs such as concerts, exhibitions, theatre and dance performances,
film and video performances
CROATIA / Cultural centre Dubrava
Represented by: Ivana Mestrov, Dunja Vukovic,Liebl Andi
Cultural centre Dubrava is a public institution, founded by the City of Zagreb, in
1958. Its missions are the lifelong learning and the cultural diffusion. It takes part
of an informal association of thirteen cultural centres of the City of Zagreb, and is
the biggest one among them, spatially and program wise.
Cultural centre Dubrava offers programs on two locations, in the multicultural
district of the eastern part of Croatian, capital, Dubrava.
Operationally speaking, the Centre is divided in 11 minor centres: Dubrava Youth
Theatre, Vladimir Filakovac Gallery, Visual Arts Centre, Centre for Traditional
Croatian Culture, Musical Centre, Multimedia Centre, Production Centre, Centre
for Languages, Computing Centre, Danse Centre and Event Organization Centre.
There are 38 persons working in the Cultural Centre team, and a huge number of
regular contributors to the programs, ranging from the new-media artists, theatre
directors, actors, biologists, teachers, journalists and designers.
Even if the most of its activites are the local ones, Cultural Centre Dubrava
organizes also cultural events in the City of Zagreb, and Croatia, as well as it
has been collaborating with international artists, associations, and theatres in
conception of its regular program. Further information about het Cultural
Centre Dubrava can be found on the website: www.ns-dubrava.hr
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PROJE CT FAIR BRUSSELS 08
WORKSHOPS
WORKSHOP I: GRUNDTVIG
Renilde Reynders, coordinator Grundtvig at Epos vzw (National Agency in
Flanders for the EU-programme Life Long Learning)
Roger Bouwens & Leen Bouwens, director and staff of CC Leopoldsburg, partner
in project ‘Opening Doors’
Renilde Reynders presented the different opportunities for cultural centres, of the
Grundtvig-programme, that is part of the Life Long Learning programme. The
Grundtvig-programma is oriented to all organisations of formal adult education
and non-formal adult education (cultural centres, social and cultural work,
libraries, …). Several actions and projects can be supported within this
programme. The terms of the Grundtvig-programme are very broad regarding to
the preference themes (art & culture, foreign languages, active citizenship,…) of
priority target groups (seniors, less educated,…). The learning partnerships of the
Grundtvig-programme are interesting because they ‗re focused on the process of
cooperation, on exchange of information and experience and on the engagement
of the learners, which are the pupils, as well as the teachers, directors and
educators themselves. To applicate for a project you need three partners in three
different countries. More information on Grundtvig can be found on:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-programme/doc86_en.htm
After this presentation of the rules and terms, Leen Bouwens and Roger Bouwens
of cultural centre of Leopoldsburg (Belgium) witnessed on their experience with
Grundtvig. Thanks to their participation on a contact seminar ‗Performing Arts as
a Kalayst for Culture‘, organised by the grundtvig-agency, they found partners in
the UK and Malta. These three partners worked out a project, entitled ―Opening
doors. Developing learning disabled people‘s participation in the arts across
Europe.‖ The main set-up was a programme of workshops that would then lead
to participation in theatre festivals in each country, which for Malta and Belgium
were created specifically for the context of the project. After this 2 years of
process and presenting the result, the partner organisations worked out a
practical guide in working with people with learning disabilities. It tends to be an
inspirational tool for other organisations. This project shows a lot of opportunities
for a cultural centre: working with a special target group, to give them a platform
to present and promote theirselves and their abilities to a wider public, training
and developping the competences of your own staff personnel: their educational
skills, organisational skills, etcetera… such a project can be an added value to
your centre, its field of work, its public and the local community.
http://grundtvigopeningdoors.blogspot.com
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PROJE CT FAIR BRUSSELS 08
WORKSHOP II: TECHNICAL STAFF AND
RECOGNISING OF THE ACQUIRED COMPETENCES
Chris Van Goethem, technical consultant and teacher
Chris Van Goethem explains the redefining of professional profiles by
competences and less by knowledge only. What do we understand by
‗competence‘? Competences are a standardized description of skills, knowledge,
attitudes and responsibilities needed to perform a specific action in a defined
context. The development of competence profiles is being realized in Belgium and
other European countries. Networks and international structures are important to
standardize these profiles. Compentence profiles can be used for different needs:
the description of a job function for recruiting and evaluating personnel, to
validate acquired competences, to detect training needs, to set up a personal
development plan, describe and set up a specific training, etc…
In Belgium there already exists a standardized competence profile for assistant,
technician, specialist (light, sound, image) and stage manager. It is now possible
for technicians with years of experience, but without a diploma, to recognize these
competences and skills by an assessment. The recognizing of these competences
can be valued at the same level as a diploma and can likewise be remunerated.
The philosophy in this HR-policy is: ―The right man for the right job is not only a
question of the right diploma‖.
In a European context Chris Van Goethem also works on a Leonardo da Vinciproject : Theater Technical Training. Priorities in this project are: Analysis of the
competences, transparency in prior learning and qualifications, developing tools
for comparison, measurement and translation.
WORKSHOP III: European Voluntary Service
Ivo Peeters, director of ‘De Zeyp’, community centre of Ganshoren
Inge Stuer & Liselotte Vanheukelom, JINT (Agency Youth International)
The European Commission has a supporting programme for youth, called ―Youth
in Action‖. One of the actions within this programme is ―European Voluntary
Service‖. Inge Stuer and Liselotte Vanheukelom of JINT (the Flemish agency for
implementing youth in action) gave more information on the opportunities and
terms and conditions of EVS. This action supports the European voluntary work of
young people between 18 and 30 years old. These young volunteers can be
engaged in different organizations and institutions in a European country of their
choice. Every cultural centre can apply for being a hosting or sending
organization. When your organization is accepted, your contact details are shown
in the database that young volunteers can consult to find a host. During several
months the volunteer works in your cultural centre on the daily programme or on
a specific project. This is a unique experience for the youngster and can be an
inspirational boost and support for your organization.
Ivo Peeters of community centre ‗De Zeyp‘ in Ganshoren (Brussels) shared his
experiences with EVS and told about the projects these volunteers realized in his
centre. He believes very much in the added value of EVS-projects for cultural
centres.
More about EVS:
http://ec.europa.eu/youth/youth-in-action-programme/
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PROJE CT FAIR BRUSSELS 08
WORKSHOP IV: REGIONAL COOPERATION
BETWEEN CULTURAL CENTRES AND/OR OTHER
PARTNERS
Piet Forger, coordinator of Vlabra’ccent (structural collaboration between cultural
centres in the province of Flemish Brabant)
Engelbert Petre (Maison Culturelle d’Ath)
The aim of this workshop was to exchange experiences on regional
cooperation among cultural centres and between cultural centres and other
partners. Two coordinators of a regional network introduced their own
experience.
Piet Forger is coordinator of Vlabra’ccent, the regional cooperating structure
between cultural centres and community centres of the province of FlemishBrabant and the province administration and government (county) itself. This
regional cooperation was built for the cultural centres, but is recently
searching for cooperation with other organizations in the cultural region. The
county stimulates cooperation between all partners of the sector of leisure in
the region (tourism, sport, youth, culture, …). Engelbert Petre is director of the
cultural centre in Ath and member of the board of the cooperation ACHO
(Agence culturelle du Hainaut occidental). This cooperation was stimulated
and supported by the minister of culture as a test project. ACHO offers
services to all cultural operators (not only cultural centres!) of the region:
coordination, information and communication, training, etcetera.
In the second part of the workshop the participants worked in little groups to
exchange experiences on regional cooperation. The general conclusion of the
workshop was that cooperations need financial and personnel support to keep
the structure going. Regional cooperating structures become more and more
cross-overs of different aspects of leisure and look beyond the borders of the
own sector to the more economical sector (field of work, …), aiming for
regional development.
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PROJE CT FAIR BRUSSELS 08
Visit of two community centres in Brussels
On Thursday evening the European companionship took the subway to Sint-Gilles
to visit two community centres: Jacques-Franck and De Pianofabriek. Both
community centres are situated in one of the poorest neighborhoods of Brussels.
The community has got a density of 18.000 habitants per km² and 140 different
nationalities. Both centres work within this intercultural context. Thierry Van
Campenhout (CC Jacques-Franck) and Geert Steendam (CC De Pianofabriek) took
the participants on a guided tour in the centres.
Dinner and evening programme at ‗Maison du
peuple‘, St-Gilles
In the evening the participants could share the dinner table, while listening to Bai
Kamara. Singer-songwriter Bai Kamara Jr. was born in Bo Town, Sierra Leone.
When Bai moved to the United Kingdom for his schooling at the age of 15, his
musical talent was awakened by the sounds of the English music scene. As soon
as Bai started college in Manchester he began to write his first songs that
explored and reflected his diverse cultural social and political backgrounds. In
spite of musical success, Bai moved to Brussels to continue his University career.
The politically-charged atmosphere of the EU at the time, meant that content of
his songs soon became highly demanded by local musicians.
Last day of the project fair
On Friday morning 3rd of October, Ilona Kish, secretary-general of Culture Action
Europe (formerly EFAH) presented the mission and actions as European advocacy
organization (ENCC is member of Culture Action Europe). More info on
www.cultureactioneurope.org
Luis Prada and Günter Chodzinski reported on the new exchange programme of
the ENCC: ―Bridge between European Cultural Centres‖. The first seminar of BECC
was held on the 31st of September and the 1st of October, so that the BECCparticipants could join at the same time the project fair. The ENCC supports with
this programme the exchange and mobility of staff and technical personnel of
cultural centers.
Further Luis and Günter reported on next ENCC-activities. Because of the financial
dependency of the European subsidizing system, the ENCC will have financial
difficulties to carry out all of the planned activities. The board will set out priorities
for 2009. More news will be provided by the ENCC-newsletter and website.
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LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
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ENCC EUROPEAN PROJECT FAIR BRUSSELS 200 8
2008 and beyond: European cultural centers live intercultural dialogue
The European Project Fair of Cultural Centers is a unique annual event
organized by the European Netwerk of Cultural Centres (ENCC), where
representatives of culture centres coming form all over Europe are meeting to exchange cultural and hands-on experiences on cultural centre
management. The centres get the possibility to present themselves, to
find cooperation partners and to participate in inspiring discussions about
the improvement of mutual exchange on European level.
This third European Project Fair was dedicated to the European Year of
Intercultural dialogue.
VENUES
De Markten
Oude Graanmarkt 5
1000 Brussels
www.demarkten.be
Flemish Parliament
Leuvenseweg 86
1000 Brussels
www.vlaamsparlement.be
ORGANIZING TEAM
Project managers for the ENCC Project Fair Brussels 2008:
Evi Gillard (VVC) and Liesbeth Vandersteene (ASTRAC)
VVC
Vereniging Vlaamse Cultuur– en gemeenschapscentra vzw
Gallaitstraat 86 bus 23
1030 Brussel
www.cultuurcentra.be
ASTRAC
Réseau des Centres Culturels de la communauté
Wallonnie-Bruxelles ASBL
Rue de la Rosière 4
6820 Florenville
www.centresculturels.be
ACC
Association des Centres culturels de la Communauté
Française de Belgique ASBL
Rue Potagère 7
1210 Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode
www.centres-culturels.be
With Financial support of the Department of Culture of the Flemish Authorities
CONTACT
ENCC
Coordination office
Vossstrasse 22
10117 Berlin
Germany
www.encc.eu
IMPRINT
Editorial & layout: Evi Gillard
Photos: Anna Cruse
Brussels, 2008.