The Norwegian Directorate of Culture has launched a toolbox that will help the cultural sector take care of diversity and freedom of expression in a time of major societal changes, writes Director Øystein Strand.

The future is no longer something that awaits us far ahead. It is already here, and it is shaped by the choices we make today. How it will be, the cultural sector should be involved in influencing. Therefore, the Norwegian Directorate of Culture has created a toolbox, where strategic foresight is used as a method to maintain and strengthen the values we want to preserve in culture. We invite the entire cultural sector to use it. You don't have to be a futurist to get started. The most important thing we already have: the experiences, knowledge and gut feeling that springs from creating, managing and sharing art and culture.

The freedom of expression is under pressure

Diversity and freedom of expression are fundamental pillars of cultural life, but they are now being challenged from several quarters at the same time. Internationally, we see war, increasing authoritarian currents and democracies under pressure. Economic uncertainty and greater social disparities contribute to major contradictions. The digital public sphere offers new opportunities, but also new vulnerabilities. Commercial interests, algorithms and disinformation narrow the open discourse, and power and control are concentrated in a few hands. When this happens, the space for free expression becomes narrower.

The role of culture in troubled times

We are not vaccinated against this in Norway either, and we must be offensive, courageous and full of confidence on behalf of the arts and culture sector in the face of these challenges. In this situation, culture is more important than ever. Art and culture are democratic infrastructure and places where people meet, express themselves and together find out what matters. What we choose to focus on now will determine who is allowed to participate, what voices are heard, and what freedom of expression we have in the years to come.

Good solutions in the community of disagreements

Working strategically to look ahead helps us to lift our gaze and find a common language. It is about exploring several alternative futures, seeing risks and opportunities from different points of view, and using disagreement and diversity as strengths.

This toolbox is designed for just that: to provide a simple framework for good conversations and concrete processes in small groups or large institutions, locally, regionally and nationally. The goal is not to predict the future, but to strengthen our ability to act wisely in the face of the social changes we know will come. In this way, we can together contribute to a cultural life that continues to embrace diversity and freedom of expression, even under radically changed political, economic and technological conditions.

Foresight – a strategic toolbox for the cultural field

The toolbox is designed for those who work in and around the cultural field, and helps shape the future of the business, field or local community through the choices you make.

https://www.kulturdirektoratet.no/aktuelt/felles-ansvar-for-fremtidens-ytringsrom