Describe the main features of the policy/measure:
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been promoting cultural diversity expansion project (formerly the Rainbow Bridge Project) since 2012 in order to raise awareness of cultural diversity in Korean society and create an environment for cultural diversity led by civil society organizations. The Cultural Diversity Expansion Project is to support the expansion of cultural expression opportunities, mutual communication, and exchanges of various cultural subjects according to nationality, generation, and gender in the local community. In particular, it aims to spread the value of cultural diversity by enhancing the cultural rights of minorities and the people's receptiveness to other cultures.
The project promotion plan for the aforementioned project is established by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Arts Council Korea, the exclusive agency of the project, oversees the project operation and selects a lead organization from regional cultural public institutions across the country. The selected organizations are given project expenses based on the size of the project (awareness of cultural diversity and spread of values, provision of human resources and materials for cultural diversity, protection of cultural rights for minorities, mutual exchange between minorities or between minority and majority). It provides various educational programs necessary for planning and carrying out projects, and supports the establishment of networks between the lead organizations. Regional organizations promote projects by utilizing cultural resources such as cultural infrastructure, cultural and artistic groups, artists, and cultural professionals in the region. There are around 25 regions participating in every year.
The organizers plan regional-specific projects through a council and working groups composed of various cultural subjects (citizens), and operate year-round projects based on a cooperative system with them. They are also taking the lead in spreading awareness of cultural diversity in the region by planning and operating a week-long ‘Cultural Diversity Week’ from the World Cultural Diversity Day (May 21), designated by the United Nations. Article 11 of the ‘Act On The Protection And Promotion Of Cultural Diversity' designates the week from May 21 to May 27 as Cultural Diversity Week. Accordingly, during this period, the regional organizers of the cultural diversity expansion project, as well as relevant institutions such as the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Arts Council Korea, will promote various cultural events such as forums, discussions, film festivals, and exhibitions to spread cultural diversity values.
Website of the policy/measure, if available:
What are the results achieved so far through the implementation of the policy/measure?:
The cultural diversity expansion project contributes to the creation of a culture of coexistence by promoting communication and exchange between cultures, and enhancing the understanding and acceptability of other cultures through a civic consciousness and respect for cultural differences in nationality, generation, gender, and physical conditions.Representative programs are as follows. First, orchestras and choirs with various local residents project and cultural diversity festivals project provide opportunities to form consensus among residents of different cultural backgrounds. Second, there are projects for migrants, people with disabilities, and foreign nationals like migrant radio channels and publication of newsletter, and a theater festival organized and performed by families with disabilities. These provide opportunities for expression to the culturally underprivileged in the region. Third, there are projects that support policy activities such as holding a policy discussion forum for local residents to form a basis for promoting cultural diversity policies in the region, organizing a policy council in which local government officials, cultural activists, and citizens participate, and enacting local cultural diversity ordinances.
The number of participants in the project increased from 249,918 in 2018 to 291,036 in 2021. Although it dropped to 83,324 people in 2020, right after the outbreak of COVID-19, the detailed program operation method of the project was switched to online, which served as an opportunity to expand access to more participants.
More than 200 programs are carried out annually, and around 200,000 local citizens participate in the programs. As of 2021, the participants’ awareness of cultural diversity increased by about 18% after participating in the program, their understanding of the concept and value of cultural diversity increased by 35.4%, and their will to practice the value of cultural diversity increased by 17.7%.
Financial resources allocated to the policy/measure in USD:
2,200 Million Won, 1.7 Million Dollars /As of 2021
Partner(s) engaged in the implementation of the measure:
Has the implementation of the policy/measure been evaluated?:
YES
If yes, what are the main conclusions/recommendations?:
Although the cultural diversity expansion project has shown achievements in expanding the cultural diversity policy foundation and raising cultural diversity awareness in the local community, there are still differences in the understanding of cultural diversity protection and promotion policies between local citizens and local government policy makers. Thus, it is necessary to examine the implementation methods to enhance the effectiveness of the project.