A matter of global cohesion through the arts

  

MEDIA RELEASE COURTESY OF: La Salle College of the Arts, Singapore

6th Diversity Matters: Social Cohesion and the Arts
A Commonwealth forum on cultural diversity social cohesion and the arts
23–25 September 2010

For some, Singapore is a brash and energetic IT and shopping hub, a commercial port and one of the largest stopovers in the world. But, it is much more than that. The Singapore government and its educational institutions have invested millions in the development of Singapore’s arts since the mid 1990s.

It is little wonder this year that LASALLE College of the Arts, in Singapore is hosting the 6th Diversity Matters: Social Cohesion and the Arts symposium.

Singapore is now a key creative and cultural hub for South East Asia and Singapore also has strong and historic links to the West. It has developed a unique meld of Asian and Western contemporary and traditional of art, theatre and dance.

Contemporary theatre companies like Theatre Works, and Necessary Stage have made their mark in Europe and Australia. Importantly arts colleges such as LASALLE have created significant international inroads into other Asian and western arts industries.

This unique opportunity is open to researchers, policy makers, and practitioners from across Commonwealth nations.

The Australian Multicultural Foundation, the Commonwealth Foundation, Monash University, and India’s leading newspaper, Statesman are heading the forum, which is also supported by the Australia Council for the Arts and Arts Victoria.

Dr Hass Dellal, AM, the Director of the Australian Multicultural Foundation said to Arts Hub from his Melbourne office: “Social Cohesion and the Arts wants to explore the important role that arts and culture play as a cement for social cohesion in a global environment.”

Dr Dellal has worked with the Foundation tirelessly over the years to engender the importance of cultural diversity in government, business and international relations. His passion for the arts is not new, a board member of the Immigration Museum, a former Chairperson of Multicultural Arts Victoria, the lead in the Multicultural Arts Professional Development program and as a trained musician he recognizes that, “Arts and culture are foundation stones in the building of social capital.”

Dr Dellal highlights the uniqueness of the symposium, “We and the Commonwealth Foundation have dealt with a range of issues such as urban development, social policy, labour market development and now we are dealing with multiculturalism and the arts.”
There will be a number of Australians speaking at the forum in Singapore, who are focused on intangible heritage, multiculturalism, arts development and community partnerships.

What makes this symposium unique as far as Dr Dellal is concerned is its “intimate nature” whereby delegates and participants have the opportunity to engage with those at the forefront of arts programs and social cohesion.

Importantly, 6th Diversity Matters: Social Cohesion and the Arts provides an opportunity to address recommendations raised from the Commonwealth Statement on Culture and Development by the Commonwealth Foundation.

It will also showcase best practice models from Singapore, Australia, India, Canada, UK, and South Africa, where arts and culture play an integral part in building social cohesion.

Dr Dellal said, “We have senior people like Arun Mahizhunam from National University of Singapore, Padmini Sebastian, Director of Immigration Museum Melbourne, Ravindra Kumar, Editor, The Statesman (India), Fotis Kapetopoulos from Kape Communications, Melbourne and Penny Hutchinson, Director, Arts Victoria, Frank Panucci and Cecelia Cmielewski from the Australian Council for the Arts, and Dr Mark Collins from the Commonwealth Foundation, UK. As well as speakers from Africa and other nations presenting at the forum.”

The outcomes from 6th Diversity Matters: Social Cohesion and the Arts will be taken as recommendations to relevant Commonwealth policy-making forums, such as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and Commonwealth People’s Forum (CHOGM).

For more information on the 6th Diversity Matters: Social Cohesion and the Arts please go click here. +61 3 9470 1099, 0413 445 287, mail@kape.com.au