Bi- and multicultural cooperation

Due to the close international integration of economic, political and cultural developments international cultural cooperation is becoming increasingly important. This work is carried out in new forms of networking and regional geo-strategic cooperation. A crucial element for the development and functioning of these networks and active regional cooperation is a vibrant bilateral cultural policy that promotes the exchange and cooperation in the field of arts and cultural heritage in European countries and beyond.

The bilateral cooperation is based on the one hand on formal intergovernmental agreements (such as cultural agreements, Memoranda of Understanding and Joint Declarations), through the exchange of artists and experts, as well as through visits on the political level (ministers, high-level officials delegations), but also through joint projects (e.g. exchange of exhibitions) and institutional partnerships. On the other hand, targeted bilateral cooperation complements the cooperation on the multilateral level (international organizations, European Union, UNESCO, Council of Europe) and at the same time promotes synergies for the national cultural policy, in particular in the field of dissemination of knowledge of culture and intercultural dialogue.

Specific networks of Ministers of Culture (e.g. Council of Ministers of Culture of South East Europe, ASEM Ministers of Culture) allow for detailed discussions on topics of special interest, creating synergies and the implementing regional projects.

A number of projects related to the promotion of cultural diversity by the Federal Ministry for Education, Arts and Culture have been outlined in the previous subchapters of this chapter as well as in chapter 3. Furthermore, cultural diversity is a recurrent element in each bilateral cooperation agreement, in particular also with countries that have not ratified the Convention (awareness-raising).