Press Releases

The Deputy Ministry of Culture is organising a Conference on “Cultural Rights in Times of Crisis – Contemporary Challenges and Perspectives”, in the framework of the 9 Mediterranean EU Member States Summit (MED9).

The aim of the conference, which will start with a keynote lecture by UN Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights, Dr Alexandra Xanthaki, and will bring together experts from both Cyprus and abroad, is to discuss the importance of safeguarding cultural rights and the Mediterranean cultural heritage, as well as to promote regional cultural cooperation in supporting artistic freedom in the spirit of cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue, equality, and inclusiveness.

The conference will be inaugurated by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Dr Vasiliki Kassianidou, the Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tasos Christofides, and the Head of the Cultural Policy Unit of the European Commission (EAC.D.1), Ms Catherine Magnant.

The proceedings will take place on Monday, 16 September 2024, at the University of Cyprus – University House “Anastasios G. Leventis”, B108 (1 Panepistemiou Avenue, 2109 Aglantzia, Lefkosia).

The conference is open to the public and includes a panel discussion with the participant experts.

The detailed programme of the Conference can be found here.

Accreditation process to participate either in person or online in the conference proceedings is mandatory, by filling in one of the following forms:

https://tinyurl.com/57am7yzp (Greek)

https://tinyurl.com/m6bcrwzp (English)

The Conference is organised by the Deputy Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Organisation for European Programmes and Cultural Relations and the University of Cyprus and is open for media coverage.

Furthermore, the Conference will be followed by a closed online meeting of the Ministers of Culture of the 9 Mediterranean EU Member States (MED9).

Acknowledging the political urgency of safeguarding cultural rights in times of crisis, particularly in the context of the accelerating pace of political, economic, climate, and technological challenges, the aim is that at the end of the meeting the Ministers will adopt a Declaration on Cultural Rights.

(AS/NGian)