Projects uniting artists from London, New York, Johannesburg and New Delhi will form the basis for discussions and workshops at a two-day seminar in London in November. 'Connecting Flights: New Cultures of the Diaspora', an initiative of the Arts Council of England, British Council and London Arts, examines the cultural and global implications of diaspora - people with roots and heritage from countries and cultures other than where they live. The two-day seminar hopes to ‘inform debate on the policy implications – on the arts and beyond – of changing ideas about identity in a global society’, according to a joint statement from the councils. Meanwhile, under the pre-seminar Connecting Flights initiative, architectural students from London and New Delhi have been exploring new models for temporary housing, digital media students in the Bronx and East London are designing websites addressing identity and diaspora, and artists and community groups in London have been developing resonant images about international development and diaspora. The councils' statement notes that the interplay of cultures around the world has created a space for artistic innovation and creativity. Connecting Flights aims to build on the links created between the partner cities: focusing on ways to strengthen international bonds in the arts, and exploring how diasporas create diversity in cities and how this contributes to a national culture. DATES: November 7-8 VENUE: The British Library, London Further information is available by emailing [email protected] or online at: www.connectingflights.org