After more than 10 years of sound advocacy and strong partnerships, which saw, among other, the adoption of the very first EU strategy for international cultural relations. What used to be More Europe – external cultural relations will now go by Global Cultural Relations (GCR). It represents a promising development of the initiative, backed up by current core members, in view of future strategic orientations and willingness to reinforce multiple and diverse partnerships within Global Cultural Relations. The main objective is to continue building and fostering inclusive, reciprocal and fair cultural relations alongside with international partners.
Our main observation, is that diverse actors should, today, contribute to the design of international cultural relations and speak for themselves – from the public and private sectors, to non-state actors, the civil society as well as foundations from Europe and beyond. Therefore, and in line with this same spirit of openness, Global Cultural Relations aims to provide such a platform, calling for inclusive and fair cultural relations, shared knowledge and practices, as well as relationships of the same standards to better address and fit global challenges. Hence, Global Cultural Relations is currently seeking to establish new alliances and collaborations both in and outside Europe as to foster global cultural relations.
With GCR, we aim to co-create with partners and jointly develop pilot actions, test new initiatives and co-design priorities and strategic work strands for the future in order to inform international cultural relations and continue putting the topic high on political agendas.
While More Europe is changing its name, it will remain a Brussel’s based independent and flexible initiative in the field of EU external cultural relations and international cultural relations at large. This represents a significant milestone in the history of the intitiative, and Global Cultural Relations (GCR) will strive to build bridges between the European Union and partner countries through connecting cultural actors and practitioners on the ground in Europe and beyond, stimulate exchange on the principles and practices of cultural collaboration, including opportunities, study of contemporary topics and address most pressing needs.
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