A conference on ‘Cultural Rights in Times of Crisis – Contemporary challenges and perspectives’ will be held in Cyprus on 16 September, within the framework of the 9 Mediterranean Member States of the EU (MED9) Summit.

The conference is being organised by the Deputy Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Organisation for European Programmes and Cultural Relations and the University of Cyprus.

According to a press release by the Deputy Ministry of Culture,  the Conference will be followed by a closed online meeting of the Ministers of Culture of the 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, Vasiliki Kassianidou, the Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tasos Christofides and the Head of the Cultural Policy Unit of the European Commission Catherine Magnant.

The proceedings will take place on Monday, 16 September, at the University of Cyprus. The conference will be open to the public and includes a panel discussion with the participant experts.

As it is noted, 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.