Med Culture Programme Support culture as a vector of democratisation, social and human development, in the Southern Mediterranean Region. Christiane DABDOUB NASSER c.dabdoub-nasser@medculture.eu www.medculture.eu

Programme Objective A sector that is well-informed, dynamic, well-governed, favouring exchanges and networking at national and regional levels.

Participatory approach Consultations Open Calls Partnerships National Focus Groups Priority-based actions identified through wide consultations Partnerships with local organisations Contribution and mediation role of the National Focus Groups Open calls to take part in/contribute as expert to capacity development actions

Activities Capacity Development / Tools Studies, reports, etc. Networking Dissemination & Communication Consultations Ongoing consultative process (priming authorities, roundtables with cultural operators, NFGs, ..) Studies, reports, country overviews Capacity development activities : thematic P2P workshops, Houna aShabab, Cultural Policy and Management workshops, Focus… 3 Actions targeting primarily ministries Med Culture web site

TOWARDS A NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR CULTURE In partnership with the MINISTRY OF CULTURE IN JORDAN First National Consultative Workshop

Why Culture? It is a product of people’s beliefs, traditions, and creativity It an avenue where human actions encourage cultural diversity and citizens’ participation It is a fundamental component of a holistic dimension that looks to the well-being of a community It is linked to a broad understanding of development It can provide a space for individuals and communities to express their images of desirable development

Why a National Strategy for Culture? Because it is the means by which the value of culture and its role for the development of societies and nations, translates into a real development programme that promotes coherent and long-term support measures for the sector, regulating it at national and local levels, and providing it with adequate policies, funding, etc. Like any other avenue of human endeavour, the culture sector needs planning if it is to take its place alongside other development avenues.

Why a National Strategy for Culture? Because it addresses the sector within its context at many levels: It defines the vision It defines the roles of the stakeholders It defines the objectives and their corresponding policy guidelines It defines priorities for action plans with foreseen steps and operational budgets for the short term It defines the parametres for monitoring and evaluation.

The Process An expressed priority need (Med Culture consultations, 2014); The Ministry of Culture of Jordan defined it as a priority action early on 2015; Peer-to-Peer workshop (8-9 June 2015, in Amman) Two National Consultative Workshops Retreat

The Process A Peer-to-Peer workshop (8-9 June 2015, in Amman) to discuss methodology, approach and processes towards the definition of a strategic plan for culture; STRATEGY SCHEME

The Process Why consultative workshops at a national scale? If culture counts for its citizens, then they should be part of the planning process that makes it viable for their healthy well-being as individuals and as groups and associations.

The Process Two National Consultative Workshops The aim of NCW1: provide a space for ministries and cultural operators to set a common vision for culture, and define its perimeters and objectives. First draft of a working document to be disseminated and reviewed in time for the second workshop.

The Process Two National Consultative Workshops The aim of NCW2: discuss the draft and add two more components : a) priorities for an action plan; b) parametres for monitoring and evaluation. UNESCO’s contributions to this step are invaluable for defining indicators!

Local initiative: Independent Cultural Policy Group: Local artists and practitioners researching the cultural scene, in relation to cultural policy; Coordinate with Al Mawred and other groups in the Arab region; Coordinate with Ministry of Culture and Municipality of Amman; Active within the Med Culture programme.

The Process Organisation of a retreat to finalise the working document All partners: advocate for validation and endorsement!