A small number of high-ranking policy makers, leading thinkers and practitioners in the cultural sector gathered for 1½ days of reflection in Bled, Slovenia (11-12 November 2011), devoted to the ideas and practices involved in responsible cultural policy making, and especially the role of the state in ‘cultural governance’.

The event was hosted by the Ministry of Culture of Slovenia and was the third in a series of CultureWatchEurope events, building on previous work.

By means of case studies, analysis of strategic dilemmas and stories of change the conference targeted insight and directions for democratic cultural policy making in times when our society is exposed to multiple challenges requiring policy makers to look ahead and make difficult choices.

Questions addressed included:

How to ensure cultural rights and democratic access?
What are the basic values not to be compromised?
What are the conditions/possibilities for culture to be an agent of change?
How to ensure system change and a new public policy?
What are the ethical orientations?

http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/CWE/ThinkTank_en.asp