International News in December 2008
Show all of 2008
The New New Deal 2009: Public Service Jobs for Artists?
The appeal of public-service employment for artists isn’t hard to understand. In our market economy, many more people would like their creativity and livelihood to be conjoined than there are paying jobs for artists; when the public sector steps in, that can change. more >
Ratification of the 2003 Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage
The Government of Botswana is in the process of ratifying the 2003 Convention on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in order for the country to be able to safeguard and ensure respect for its intangible cultural heritage. more >
Arts needed more than ever
We hear dreadful news these days of closing operations and layoffs. The vicious circle of a worldwide depression and falling consumption lead to a decrease in production. The field of culture and the arts is no exception. more >
Civic group wants culture minister to apologize and recall controversial books
The Korea Liberation Association and other related organizations called on the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism to apologize for his actions and recall all the books distributed to middle and high schools across the country. The minister was hit by a wave of opposition when the books were criticized for ignoring the legitimacy of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, which is recognized by the Korean Constitution. more >
Cuban Culture Minister ratifies the values of the Cuban cultural policies
The main features of the cultural policy of the Revolution, which is celebrating its 50 anniversary, with priority in the defence of the nation and an open university, were highlighted by relevant figures of the Cuban culture. more >
Cultural support programs for the needy to increase
Kwak Young-jin, director of the planning and coordination office at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, speaks during a briefing for the ministry’s 2009 policy report to President Lee Myung-bak Saturday. more >
Culture ‘can bridge gap’ between US, Arab world
Culture can go beyond politics and bridge the gap between the US and Arab countries, speakers agreed yesterday at the three-day seminar titled “The US image in the modern Arab culture” which began last night. more >
Elections for ARS BALTICA Chairman for 2009 are completed.
Mr Gert Haack, from Minister- President- State Chancellery, Schleswig Holstein, has been re-elected as ARS BALTICA Chairman for 2009. more >
FENAC 2008: big names in the world of culture storm Maroua
The National Festival of Arts and Culture, FENAC, opened over the weekend in the Far North Regional capital Maroua.Presiding over the ceremony, the Minister of Culture, Ama Tutu Muna remarked that the event should be a forum to exchange ideas and experiences amongst artist from Cameroon and without. more >
Government support for home-grown music still going strong
Western Australian contemporary music received another boost from the State Government today with a significant increase in successful regional applications. Minister for Culture and the Arts John Day said the rise in the number of applications from the regions and the focus on mentoring and skills development was a promising step forward for WA music. more >
Iran concerned over economic growth of visual arts
Iran is concerned over the economic growth of visual arts, Deputy Culture Minister for Artistic Affairs mentioned during the opening ceremony of the second Tehran Art Expo at Vahdat Hall on Monday. more >
Middle East: Ministers welcome proposed culture forum
Culture ministers in the Middle East have welcomed a proposal by the Italian Culture Minister Sandro Bondi to create a global cultural forum with the United Nations' culture body, UNESCO. Egypt's Minister for Culture, Farouk Hosni, said Italy had the best qualities to create a "political and cultural hub on a level that would draw the attention of leaders around the world". more >
Polish culture coming your way...
The Minister of Culture, Bogdan Zdrojewski, has approved a bill which has been forwarded for consideration by Premier Donald Tusk over changes concerning the future of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, a government body that promotes Polish culture throughout the world. more >
Settling scores
It was not an easy week for Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni and the members of his 2009 UNESCO election campaign committee. Hosni was caught up in yet another drive against his nomination for the post of UNESCO director-general and its impact lingers on. more >
The coming of new helmsmen
New ministers recently approved by the Senate take charge in their ministries. President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 swore in 16 new ministers. Adetokunboh Kayode, former minister of culture and tourism, is now minister of labour; Idi Hong, former minister of state, culture and tourism, is now minister of state and health. Amongst the 16 new ministers sworn in is Senator Bello J. Gada as the new minister of culture and tourism. more >
Top ten cultural, sports and tourism events
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism today held a press briefing to announce the top ten events for the sector over the past year. more >
Website of the future Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union
The official website of the Czech Presidency of the European Union Council www.eu2009.cz was launched on December 1, 2008. The Czech presidency started officially on January 1, 2009. The website is prepared for the Czechs and the public abroad: general public, experts and media representatives in three languages: Czech, English and French. The information includes events taking place during the Czech Presidency, about the Czech Republic, The European Union and its policies and what the Czech think about them. more >
Zigzag policies stand in way of multicultural society
Korea is on a long but unavoidable journey to becoming a multicultural society. To cope with a soaring influx of non-Koreans, the government has unveiled a series of unprecedented policies to support them. Civic groups have also run a variety of campaigns to lead them into the nation's mainstream. more >
Arabic music fest expands horizons
An annual festival to celebrate the best of the Arab world’s recording artistes and composers, the Ziryab International Music and Arts Festival, is set to expand its boundaries by inviting entertainers from around the world in the near future. more >
Arts body frustrations discussed
More than 100 artists and arts organisations are due to attend two separate meetings to discuss their frustration over plans to shake up arts funding in Scotland. more >
Arts council pulls the wool, hat and trench coat over our eyes
With a scrubbing brush in one hand and a packet of Ajax in the other, the Australia Council is scouring the internet of art. It's not the arts bureaucrats' fault, poor wretches. Being the cleaning ladies of the cyber age is not what they signed up for. They had dreams of "cultivating the nation's creativity" until the Rudd Government put them to work to scrub pictures of children from the net. more >
Ballet company under threat
The New English Contemporary Ballet (NECB) have ambitious plans for 2009 with no less than three World premieres and 1 UK premiere. However they have been plunged into a crisis as a result of Arts Council England (ACE) deciding not to grant the company funding under its Grants for the Arts scheme. more >
Charest announces Quebec's new cabinet
Quebec's Premier Jean Charest unveiled his cabinet at the National Assembly in Quebec City Dec. 18, 2008. Former journalist Christine St-Pierre retains her job as minister of culture and communications and retains responsibility for language. more >
China submits 35 examples of culture to UNESCO
China has submitted 35 files of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Chinese calligraphy is listed as one of the files presented. more >
Chinese cabinet appoints new officials
China's State Council, or the Cabinet, appointed nine senior officials on Wednesday. Chen Xi was appointed Vice-Minister of Education, Ouyang Jian and Wang Wenzhang vice ministers of Culture, Wang Songhe and Lu Peijun deputy ministers of the General Administration of Customs. Meanwhile, Zheng Xinmiao was removed from the post of Vice-Minister of Culture. more >
Compendium community celebrates its 10th anniversary in Baku
Hosted by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the 10th Anniversary celebrations were held from the 4-5 December 2008 in Baku. The meeting welcomed the "Baku Declaration" of the preceding Conference of Cultural Ministers, which mentions the Compendium as one of the important instruments facilitating intercultural dialogue. more >
Egyptian MPs stop Israeli pilgrimages
Egyptian members of parliament and activists are campaigning to prevent thousands of Israeli Jews from flocking to Egypt every year to visit the grave of a famous rabbi. more >
More changes in cabinet
An influential lawmaker, Nika Rurua, was appointed on the post of Minister of Culture. In the Parliament MP Rurua has been a deputy chairman of the committee for defense and security since 2004. more >
No cuts to arts funding or festivals in the 2009 city budget!
Looks like efforts from the arts community actually made a difference! A group of councillors from the City of Ottawa brought and passed a package motion that results in a 4.9-per-cent property tax increase and avoids serious program cuts. more >
Pat Moylan appointed Chair of Arts Council
Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism announced new membership to the Arts Council including the appointment of independent theatre and film producer, Pat Moylan as the new Chairperson. Six other appointments have been made to the Board, including one re appointment. more >
Three Calgarians named to new Alberta Arts Council
The CEO of Theatre Calgary, a financial manager for the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association and a three-time Olympic athlete have been named as Calgary representatives of the newly formed Premier's Council on Arts and Culture. more >
Yemen to take part in closing events of 2008 Damascus Arab Culture Capital
Yemen is participating in the closing events of the Damascus Arab Culture Capital for 2008.
The ceremony will be held on 20th December by a play "al-Moatasm" by author Abdullah Sa'ad. The play talks about Arabic history and events which reflect strengthen of the Arab unity.
more >
New Premier's council puts spotlight on Alberta's arts and culture
Eleven inspiring Albertans have been selected to champion and strengthen our province’s cultural identity as members of the new Premier’s Council on Arts and Culture. more >
CCA pledges to promote cultural, creative industry internationally
Council of Cultural Affairs (CCA) Minister Huang Pi-twan said that the CCA will invest NT$5 billion (US$1.5 billion) over the next four years to promote the transformation of Taiwan's cultural and creative industry and market it to the international community. more >
Ministers Vow More Cultural Exchanges
Culture ministers of Korea, China and Japan agreed Thursday to boost cultural exchanges through various channels. more >
No Bailout for the Arts?
While government bailouts are being offered or considered for financial institutions, the auto industry, homeowners, and so many other needy and worthy sectors, one group is quickly and rather quietly falling apart: our nation's arts organizations. more >
Put Culture in the Cabinet
The president should create a cabinet-level position — a secretary of culture. more >
Long road to UNESCO
When Egypt nominated Minister of Culture, Farouk Hosni, to be UNESCO's next director-general all hell broke loose. His latest battle, as a candidate for UNESCO's director-general, is being fought on an international front. Assem El-Kersh and Nevine El-Aref speak to him about his campaign. more >
Heritage minister: Arts will be part of economic stimulus package
Can Canadians expect a boost for arts and culture in a Conservative economic stimulus package? more >
Keynes's vision for investment in culture and creativity for tough times
It is a remarkable reflection on the profound effect of the economic crisis that the name of John Maynard Keynes is once again being heard in the corridors of power. more >
Medellín awaits Ibero-America in 2010
At the Colonial Art Museum, placed in Bogotá’s historical downtown, the Ministers of Culture of Spain and Colombia signed a new cultural cooperation agreement, which has resulted in the Third Ibero-American Congress of Culture 2010. more >
Medellín espera a Iberoamérica en 2010
En las instalaciones del Museo de Arte Colonial, en pleno centro histórico de Bogotá, los ministros de Cultura de Colombia y España firmaron un nuevo convenio de cooperación cultural, el cual dará como resultado la realización en el país de la tercera versión del Congreso Iberoamericano de Cultura en el 2010. more >
New Portal of Colombian Publishers
The Independent Colombian Publishers Network –REIC– presented its official portal, where a complete catalogue of their publications will be exhibited and on-line sales will be made. more >
Nuevo portal de editoriales colombianas
La Red de Editores Independientes Colombianos -REIC presentó su portal oficial, en donde se exhibirá el catálogo completo de sus publicaciones y se realizarán ventas en línea. more >
Recognition to creators in FIART 2008
The XII International Craftsmanship Festival, a place where the most varied handicraft styles from different countries come together, ended the commercial activity of its pavilions until next year with the handing out of the FIART 2008 awards in the A Room, in PABEXPO. more >
Sidelined and cash-strapped, dance deserves a fairytale ending
The art form is more influential than ever, but remains woefully under-funded. Let's hope that a new Arts Council survey will prove its rising status. more >
The Arts Council has had its day
Congratulations to Dame Liz Forgan, right, on being appointed the new chairman of the Arts Council. She should examine the Arts Council thoroughly, and then urge the Government to abolish it. more >
Linz – the European Capital of Culture in 2009 wants to invite guests from all parts of Europe for a new year celebration
Linz is going to celebrate the start of its European mission with three days of festivities in the company of its visitors from near and far. During 3 days citizens and visitors of Linz will have the opportunity to watch plenty of music shows, performances and other events. more >
Minister opens ‘Media Expo 2008’
Qatar’s Minister for Culture, Arts and Heritage, H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, opened ‘Media Expo Qatar 2008’, a four-day media exposition and conference, with much fanfare at the Qatar International Exhibition Centre here yesterday. more >
New ‘Creative’ guide launched for West Midlands entrepreneurs
A special guide has been launched today for the Creative, Cultural and Digital Industries in a bid to help start-ups and boost business performance in what is one of the fastest growing sectors in the West Midlands. more >
On-The-Move anticipates closure of mobility information services in 2009
Since 2002, On-The-Move (OTM) has operated as a very economically efficient instrument filling an existing gap in information and encouragement to arts mobility. It has gained recognition beyond the performing arts as the key information provider on mobility, reaching up to 360.000 visitors per year, disseminating a monthly newsletter to over 8.500 subscribers worldwide, commissioning and publishing expert dossiers on practical aspects of mobility, downloaded more than 120.000 times. more >
OTM users react to anticipated closure of mobility information service
OTM users react to anticipated closure of mobility information service. OTM subscribers and users have reacted rapidly to the news that OTM is anticipating closure of its much appreciated mobility information service in 2009. Here is a selection of OTM users feedback: more >
Paris life models make nude protest to demand respect ... and better pay
In front of the tastefully decorated Christmas trees outside Paris city hall's culture department, the naked and goose-pimpled models demanded a pay increase, proper contracts and, most of all, respect for their craft as they held trade union banners in the pose of Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People. more >
Second Tehran Art Expo to open next week
The second edition of the Tehran Art Expo will open at the Vahdat Hall on December 21. In a press conference at Vahdat Hall, Mahmud Shaluii, director of the Visual Office of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Asghar Amirnia, managing director of the Rudaki Foundation, and expo secretary Amir Abdolhosseini took part and elaborated on the programs of the expo. more >
Asia-Pacific Regional Centre (APRCCN) of the Culturelink Network issues newsletter
Combined with the Asia-Pacific Regional Centre (APRCCN) website, the monthly e-newsletter is designed to help keep readers informed on news, events, research, and other developments in the field of cultural policy both within and beyond the Asia-Pacific region. more >
Building on progress is key to arts
President-elect Barack Obama has called for a more prominent role in the White House for the arts and culture. But the economic climate makes it unlikely that governmental funding of the arts will increase anytime soon. And mixing art and government can spell political trouble, especially at the federal level. more >
Capital of culture under threat
The Vilnius European Capital of Culture 2009 (VECC) project financing may be cut in half due to the economic crisis. The government has announced that its cost cutting effort will seriously affect the national budget, including the funding for the VECC project. VECC, the public institution responsible for commissioning and implementing the Capital of Culture events, proposed a 12 percent saving plan. more >
Incoming power-sharing government agrees on portfolio allocation
Democratic-Liberals will be in charge of the Ministry of Communication and Information Society, the Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs and National Heritage, the Ministry of Youth and Sport and the Ministry of Tourism. The Social-Democrats get the portfolios of Education, Research and Innovation; Small and medium-sized Enterprises and Business Environment. more >
Theatres offer free seats for young people
Culture secretary unveils scheme for people under 26 to watch drama for nothing at 99 theatres in England. more >
Working Group on Synergies between Culture and Education set up
On 22 September, the working group “Synergies between culture and education” gathering together representatives from EU Members States was officially set up. more >
Call for Bids: The Sixth International Conference on Cultural Policy Research
The International Scientific Committee of the International Conference on Cultural Policy Research (ICCPR) hereby addresses universities, research institutions, researchers and research administrators who might be interested in hosting the Sixth International Conference on Cultural Policy Research. more >
Musicians Must Be Ready To Fight For Their Cause
It is important that the musicians, in cooperation with artists under the banner of an arts federation, to have a fighting vehicle that will enable the practitioners to impose their will upon any decision that is made in relation to the way in which they make their livelihood. more >
Censorship debate fires up arts in 2008
The story around Bill Henson and his controversial nude photographs of pre-pubescent children was undoubtedly the arts story of the year. more >
Arm's length arts council in the works for Vancouver
Vancouver could have a proposal for an arm's-length arts council by springtime, according to Vision councillor Heather Deal. more >
Fears over Arts Council policy shift
Architecture centres fear that events focusing on building design will be marginalised in favour of art projects after Arts Council England officially scrapped Architecture Week. more >
Wales Millennium Centre responsibility ‘should be handed to Arts Council for Wales’
The Assembly Government should consider handing responsibility for the Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) to the Arts Council for Wales, AMs have recommended. more >
1er. Congreso Nacional de Políticas Culturales del Perú
Las observaciones formuladas por el público, en los documentos sobre la cultural del país futuro servirá como una guía para el debate que tendrá lugar en el Perú de la Primera Congreso Nacional de Políticas Culturales. more >
Dos videos en Youtube sobre el debate actual en Perú sobre la creación de un ministerio de cultura
Expertos y agents culturales, públicos y privados, opinan sobre la creación de una cartera de cultura en Perú. more >
Peru’s First National Cultural Policy Congress
Comments provided by the public, on documents on the country's cultural future will serve as a guideline for the debate that will take place in Peru’s First National Cultural Policy Congress. more >
Two Videos on Youtube about the Current Debate in Peru on the Creation of a Ministry of Culture
Experts and cultural agents, public and private, give their opinions on the creation of a Ministry of Culture in Peru. more >
Adriatic region in focus: part I online now
The Adriatic Euroregion is the focal point for the next two editions of LabforCulture's Region in focus. The Adriatic Euroregion Part I starts with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia. Part II will cover Albania, Italy and Montenegro and will be posted early next year on LabforCulture. more >
Call for tenders: Study on the contribution of culture to local and regional economic development as part of European regional policy
The study must give an overview on how and to what extent culture has been integrated into the regional development strategy since 2000 in the framework of the European regional policy (last programming period 2000-2006 as well as the current programming period 2007-2013 of the structural funds). Deadline: 12/01/2009. more >
Council of Europe support realization of Baku Process
The Council of Europe (CE) will support the realization of Baku process. The Baku declaration is a new appeal to the world to promote intercultural dialogue, Abulfas Garayev, Minister of Culture and Tourism, said. more >
Cultural think tank to advise Garrett
Australia Council chairman James Strong, film school head Sandra Levy and gallery director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor are members of a new cultural think tank that will advise the federal Government on cultural policy. more >
Culture Ministry shuts down photo gallery
Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance shut down the Asar photo gallery in Tehran for displaying works that are “contrary to Islamic dignity and… offensive to religious sanctities.” These works belonged to 39-year-old Payman Houshmandzadeh. His signature art is generally known to defy and provoke people’s perceptions of their place in the fast-paced world. more >
New English Contemporary Ballet funding cut ‘catastrophic’
New English Contemporary Ballet has been plunged into crisis by the decision of Arts Council England not to grant it funding under its Grants for the Arts scheme. more >
Polish delegation in India to strengthen cultural ties
The Deputy Minister of Culture, Tomasz Merta, has began a three-day visit to India regarding Polish representation in the regional conference held by the Indian Foundation for Culture and Cultural Heritage. more >
Preserving national identity is focus of federal strategy, says Al Za'abi
This year has been "excellent in maintaining the national identity of the UAE," a top government official told Gulf News. Ahmad Jumaa Al Za'abi, Director of President's office predicted that the coming years will witness more focus on the national identity concept, to further activate and make it a daily practice in young people's lives.
more >
Senegalese thirsty to learn find an oasis in a simple library
In a nation of 40 percent literacy and great poverty, students read novels in lunch-break installments at this struggling civic institution. more >
Angst over arts funding. Arts organizations prepare for a drop in donations next year
Arts organizations expect fewer donations from business sponsors as a weak economy forces them to curtail support in 2009. more >
Arts community braces for budget news
Mayor Nutter pledged his support to the Philly artistic community during a meeting in City Hall last night, but said cuts to arts funding may not be over. "I can't stand here today and tell you we won't have to take further action in the current fiscal year," Nutter said to the standing-room-only crowd gathered in the mayor's reception room for a town-hall meeting on how the budget crisis will affect the arts. more >
Arts Council chief dismissed
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism dismissed Kim Jeong-heon as chairman of Arts Council Korea after he violated rules concerning the council's promotional funds. more >
Cabinet reshuffled
Grigol Vashadze, the current minister for culture, has been nominated as the foreign minister, replacing Eka Tkeshelashvili. At the same news briefing Vashadze, who was a deputy foreign minister before and becoming Minister of Culture on November 1, said the new appointment was a total surprise for him. more >
Meeting on culture and youth in the Mediterranean
This meeting brought together the members of EUROMEDINCULTURE, a Euro-Mediterranean Network of Cultural Organisations, in order to foster the mobility of young cultural professionals by accessing existing European programmes. more >
Mercedes Giovinazzo elected president of the executive committee of Culture Action Europe
Following the election held during the Annual General Meeting of Culture Action Europe in Marseilles on 23 October, the Executive Committee has elected Mercedes Giovinazzo, the Director of the Interarts Foundation, as its new President. more >
Peskin would cut S.F. arts funding by 50%
Three of San Francisco's most highly regarded arts institutions - the Symphony, the Opera and the Ballet - would see their city funding slashed in half under a dramatic cost-cutting proposal intended to spread the city's financial pain around. more >
Presentation of the new project on cultural enterprises in Honduras
On 27 November, Interarts presented its new project on ''Promotion of Cultural and Creative Businesses in Honduras'' in the framework of the 3rd Central American Forum of the Interlocal Network, in Santa Rosa de Copán, Honduras. Funded by the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation for Development (AECID), the project is managed jointly by Interarts and the ''Santa Rosa Vive el Arte'' programme, as a local partner, and aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial skills of cultural agents in Santa Rosa de Copán and to foster culture-related business projects. more >
Promoting art as an artist and from the Ministry of Culture: interview with Hakim al-Akil
That art needs to be better promoted in Yemen is something clear to Hakim al-Akil. He studied art in Russia where he specialised in murals and now he works as an advisor for plastic arts at the Ministry of Culture, al-Akil tries to improve the situation of art from two different levels. more >
Small grants programme replaces awards for all arts funding
From December 16th 2008, the Arts Council's 'Small Grants Programme' will replace the Big Lottery Fund's 'Awards for All' scheme as the prime source of small grants for groups seeking National Lottery funding for their arts activities. The 'Small Grants Programme' will offer grants of between £500 - £10,000 to voluntary and small professional groups for a wide range of community-based arts activities. more >
Support to intercultural dialogue through EU programmes
The Directorate-General for Education and Culture of the European Commission has recently presented a brochure which features more than 20 EU programmes which can support activities in the fields of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue. more >
The Council of Europe Culture Ministers adopted the Baku Declaration
Today The Council of Europe Culture Ministers’ Conference adopted the Baku Declaration on Assistance to the Intercultural Dialogue. more >
Venezuela book fair: big rise in sales shows thirst for reading
The Fourth Venezuela International Book Fair, held November 7-16, registered substantially higher sales of books than last year, fair organizers reported. more >
Vietnam, Cambodia sign agreement on culture
Vietnam and Cambodia will step up high-ranking delegation exchanges and organise cultural days in both countries. Under the plan, Vietnam will also help train Cambodian students at those schools under the management of Vietnam ’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. more >
2905th meeting of the Council: eductaion, youth and culture
Press release for the 2905th meeting of the Council: Education, Youth and Culture in Brussels, 20 and 21 November 2008. more >
For deserts in culture – Gloria Artis
The minister of culture and national heritage of Poland Bogdan Zdroyewski is to visit Baku from 1 to 3 of December 2009. Within his Baku stay Mr. Zdroyewski will participate in the ceremony of awarding two Azerbaijani citizens with medals “For deserts in Culture – Gloria Artis”. more >
Global village will honour human rights
The Ministry of Culture will be holding various events to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the universal declaration of Human Rights signed on December 10, 1948. Minister of Culture, Dale Butler said the Human Rights Commission will be holding a global village with the theme, 'One World, One People'. more >
Hundreds protest arts and culture cuts
About 200 citizens protested proposed cuts to the arts and social services Monday at a demonstration outside City Hall. more >
Minister of Culture and Tourism Artur Cozma dismissed
Artur Cozma was discharged from the post of Minister of Culture and Tourism following a decree issued by President Vladimir Voronin on December 1. more >
Morocco issues biometric ID cards
Morocco's national security service has begun issuing millions of "contactless," biometric identification smart cards. Artists, however, will continue to be issued a professional ID card by the Ministry of Culture. more >
The international who's who in cultural policy, planning and research >