An interdisciplinary tool to systematically analyse and evaluate whether programmes, policies, and practices promote the concept and principles of cultural diversity.

Government requires artists’ to have practice cards 09/01/2008 (GMT+7) VietNamNet Bridge Five years ago, the practice card granted to artists was annulled along with sub-licenses, but the card will soon return under a Decree recently issued by the Government. Accordingly, one of the missions of the Ministry of Culture - Sports - Tourism is guiding the issuance of practice cards for artists and licensing art shows. Pham Dinh Thang, a senior official of the Performance Art Agency, said it is necessary to resume granting practice cards to better control performance activities. The halt of issuing practice cards five years ago caused difficulties to local culture management agencies in managing performance activities and controlling artists. The card’s annulment is said to have caused artistic violations, such as participating in overseas shows without asking authorities, not declaring income, illegally issuing albums, etc. To get a card, an artist must pass an exam that is supposed to gauge his talent. Thang said most professional artists support the re-issuance of practice cards for artists, saying that the card is a “certificate of quality;” this is particularly important to some as impersonators assume famous artists’ names to cheat audiences. Many cases of this have been reported, particularly in rural areas that advertise shows featuring famous singers who are in fact fakes. http://english.vietnamnet.vn/lifestyle/2008/01/763278/

Writing reports on the projects and policy trends on concerned culture cities, and providing information on international arts and culture events held there.

The Hub City of Asian Culture Project aims to forge cultural ties with Asian countries and includes a culture cities correspondents program.

The Jakarta Arts Council office is undergoing a number of physical changes in efforts to modernize the organization.

The Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism held the first official get-together between tourism managers and artists since the merging of the culture, sport and tourism sectors.