The 8th ASEF Public Forum on Creative Cities in Asia and Europe - Cities: Living Labs for Culture? will provide a platform to discuss the role of the arts and culture in shapping sustainable, balanced and inclusive zones and to undertake a deeper analysis of the urban policies and their potential for nurturing the development of "creative cities" and the communities therein. The Public Forum is organised by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) in partnership with Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Republic of Korea, Gwangju Metropolitan Government and Chonnam National University (CNU) Eurasia Institute.

Confirmed speakers include Joe SIDEK, Artistic Director, Georgetown Festival; Arundhati GHOSH, Director, India Foundation for the Arts; Fionnuala CROKE, Director, Chester Beatty Library; Karsten XUEREB, Executive Director, Valleta 2018 Foundation; and Yusaku IMAMURA, Director, Tokyo Wonder Site.

The speakers will share their experiences and ideas, and address key issues faced by cities in Asia and Europe:

•What role for cultural institutions in shaping creative cities?

•Culture and policymaking in the city: how to make culture accessible to all?

•The Capital of Culture model: a catalyst for the cultural development in the city?

•Cities: leadership and creativity incubator?

The 8th ASEF Public Forum is part of a long-running dialogue series on policy issues of mutual interest and common relevance for Asia and Europe. Past Experts' Meetings and Public Forums have taken place in Amsterdam, Netherlands (2014), Hanoi, Viet Nam (2013), Yangon, Myanmar (2013), Yogyakarta, Indonesia (2012), Melbourne, Australia (2011), Seoul, Korea (2011) and Amsterdam, Netherlands (2010).