CULTURAL INDICATORS OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN THE ARAB REGION
Date: September 12-14, 2004
Time: 12:00 - 14:00 and 15:30-18:00

Following the International Congress of Cultural Rights and Human Development that shall take place in Barcelona in August 2004, Interarts Foundation and Middle East Center for Culture and Development (MECCAD) shall organize an international seminar on culture, development, diversity and rights in the Arab region, during Souk Ukaz in September 2004. The seminar seeks to draw a deeper understanding on the Arab region perceptions and perspectives on issues related to culture and human development. It shall follow up on the recommendations that shall be set forth in Barcelona and prepare for a follow up Congress to discuss the findings of a study on regional understanding of cultural rights that shall be released in 2005.


PRESENTATION ON THE SECOND WORLD CULTURE FORUM
Date: September 15, 2004
Time: 12:00-14:00

This seminar seeks to analyze the outcomes that emerged from the World Culture Forum (WCF) in Sao Paulo Brazil in June 2004 and to act as a follow up meeting to the Arab Regional Consultations that occurred during Souk Ukaz 2003. The World Culture Forum aims to assess the state of cultural enterprises worldwide fostering partnerships and collaborations. By monitoring and evaluating the development of cultural markets the WCF shall advocate for proper cultural policies, propose reform and stimulate proactive responses to the challenge of moving arts and culture from the pWorld Culture Forum (WCF) in Sao Paulo Brazil in June 2004 and to act as a follow up meeting to the Arab Regional Consultations that occurred during Souk Ukaz 2003. The World Culture Forum aims to assess the state of cultural enterprises worldwide fostering partnerships and collaborations. By monitoring and evaluating the development of cultural markets the WCF shall advocate for proper cultural policies, propose reform and stimulate proactive responses to the challenge of moving arts and culture from the periphery to the center of public policy discussions in order to examine the influence of culture on socio-economic and human development.

THE GLOBAL AFRICAN CINEMA AND URBAN MUSIC SYMPOSIUM
Date: September 16-18, 2004
Time: 10:00-12:00 and 16:00-18:00

The objective of the symposium is to produce a series of cinema symposiums designed to become a clearinghouse Cinema Festival for exchange of ideas, information, resources and new types of marketing and distribution. The symposium shall target the participation of film festival representatives, non-profit organizations and independent international businesses involved in film distribution. The symposium shall be organized under the theme of: “Images and Content Diversity in the Entertainment Industry”. The symposium shall thus address topics relating to the digital divide between entertainment and technology, rights management, funding approaches to film and festival production and invite innovative means for independent films to access the general film market.