A number of high-ranking policy makers, leading thinkers and practitioners in the cultural sector are gathering in Bled, Slovenia (11-12 November 2011), to consider novel ideas and practices in responsible cultural policy making, and especially the role of the state in ‘cultural governance’.
 
The event is hosted by the Ministry of Culture of Slovenia and is the third in a series of Council of Europe CultureWatchEurope events, building on previous work.
 
By means of case studies, analysis of strategic dilemmas and change stories, the conference targets insight and directions for democratic cultural policy making in times when society is exposed to multiple challenges requiring policy makers to look ahead and make difficult choices.
 
Think-tank questions include: 
- How to ensure cultural rights, democratic access and identify the basic values not to be compromised?
- What are the conditions and possibilities for culture to be an agent of change?
- How to reconceive governance and social responsibility, how to ensure system change and implement a new public policy?
- What are the ethical orientations for the future?

The Council of Europe will ensure wide dissemination of conclusions and policy orientations produced by the think-tank through its intergovernmental work mechanisms and co-operation channels with civil society.

http://www.mk.gov.si/en/media_room/news/article/2104/6165/?cHash=67324a48a8