EULAT 4 DIVERSITY

BACKGROUND:

The global initiative EULAT 4 Culture emerged from the Joint Declaration signed by the Ibero-American Network for Cultural Diplomacy – RIDCULT, and the Network of National Institutes of Culture of the European Union – EUNIC. On the occasion of AECID’s presidency of EUNIC 2021-22, a special call for proposals supporting Europe-Latin America cultural relations was launched. From May to October 2022, EULAT 4 Culture was held around the world: a total of 20 projects were selected (six in the Americas, five in Asia, five in Africa and four in Europe). The first proposal to start the cycle was precisely the one from Brussels. Its main objective was to create a curated socio-cultural ecosystem to promote a cooperative spirit defined by a bottom-up approach to cultural policies (hence the concept designed by curator Cecilia Kuska was called "La Cooperativa"). The main outcome was a global event – the AGORA – on June 1, where an inclusive dialogue took place between policymakers, cultural managers, artists, activists, creators, local diasporas and the general public. The AGORA was followed by two weeks of cultural activities. All actions had to be aligned with at least one of these 5 main themes, derived from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: (fluid) identities and inclusion; migration: rootedness and rootlessness; (democratic) values and citizenship; (digital) connectivity; and environment and sustainability: climate action.

RENEWAL OF THE CONCEPT AND PRINCIPLES:

EULAT 4 Culture was a great success and allowed us to build a base of contacts and common interests that should not be missed. Given the increasingly intense link between Europe and Latin America, it is considered valuable that EULAT 4 Culture should not remain an isolated event, but rather be continued. Building on the foundations and lessons learned from last year's experience, EULAT Diversity 2023 follows and renews the project.

- The festival focuses on DIVERSITY and TOLERANCE. Therefore, in 2023 the emphasis would be mainly on the three first themes chosen the previous year: (fluid) identities and inclusion); migration: rootedness and rootlessness and (democratic) values and citizenship.

- The event seeks to create a positive and lasting social impact, as well as a
greater involvement of local partners and communities with which EUNIC
Brussels works, prioritizing the younger public who is often left out of the
international life that characterizes Brussels, despite being physically located
in the same space.

- EULAT 4 Diversity wants to strengthen the collaboration between artists from
both continents and between artists and the community, prioritizing initiatives
that involves working together, fostering mutual knowledge and leading to a shared
outcome.

- The festival will take place in Brussels, at the end of June (23.06.23-02.07.23).
Through street and urban art, music and dance EULAT 4 Diversity hopes to
bring Latin America and Europe closer together and to put the emphasis
on the common values that we share.