“Arts for Transformation: The Role of Living Arts in Post-Conflict Contexts”

In 2016, Cambodian Living Arts convened a forum in Phnom Penh, inviting 40 arts activators from 20 countries around the world to explore practices, partnerships and possibilities for their essential work in the arts, through the lens of post conflict. 2 years later, on the eve of the European premiere of "Bangsokol: A Requiem for Cambodia," three of the participants will be in conversation - discussing developments in the sector, evolving challenges and opportunities in the current global context and how arts can play a more central role in conflict transformation and peacebuilding.

Convened by: Cambodian Living Arts & Columbia Global Centers l Paris

In partnership with Columbia Maison Française

PANELLISTS

Phloeun Prim

A visionary cultural entrepreneur, Phloeun has spearheaded Cambodian Living Arts’ transformation from a grassroots project reviving traditional arts to the leading cultural agency in Cambodia. Phloeun has led the organization as it extended its reach from local to international programming and evolved its role from straightforward transmission of traditions to stimulating expression and innovation. Born during the genocide, Phloeun is proud to have returned to Cambodia and be part of the movement using the arts for healing, social transformation, and economic development.

Regula Gattiker

Regula (MA in Political Science, English Literature and International Public Law / MAS in Cultural Management / CAS in Mediation) has been working in peace and development cooperation for about 15 years. She is the Founder of Connact, an association aiming to promote peace, development, and intercultural understanding through the arts, culture, education, and communication. She realized the project Les Voy a Contar la Historia with displaced farmers in Colombia, in partnership with the Chasquis Foundation, which is still touring, this summer at the Brave Festival in Poland. Currently, she works as a Senior Advisor for Conflict Transformation at Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation. She focuses on conflict sensitivity, conflict transformation and culture for peace and is currently developing a new project with partners in Myanmar on dealing with the past through a participatory arts process.

Mike van Graan

Co-Founder of the African Cultural Policy Network, former Executive Director of the African Arts Institute and technical expert to UNESCO on the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Associate Professor of Drama at the University of Cape Town and an award-winning playwright, with 24 plays to date. Cultural policy activist, engaged in interrogation and advocacy around the relationship of culture to human rights, democracy, the sustainable development goals, and the economy, among other topics

MODERATOR

Christine M. Merkel

Expert in international relations in arts, media and culture. Head, Division of Culture, Communication, Memory of the World, German Commission for UNESCO. Member of UNESCO-s Expert Pool on Cultural Governance. Author of the ‘Public media service’ chapters in UNESCOs  1st and 2nd Global Report “Re/Shaping Cultural Policies” (2018, 2015).  Since 2011, one of UNESCO international experts to advise local and national governments on cultural and media policies for sustainable development. Assignments included expert missions for UNESCO, European Union, SIDA, IDEA International, Council for Europe, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Foundation, including projects and working visits in and to Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon, Senegal, South Africa, Turkey, Romania, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Colombia, Peru and Chile. Areas of focus: Capacity building of civil society leaders and young experts. Seasoned designer of strategic multi-stakeholder dialogues (CONNEXXIONS 2012-2018).