Ministers to meet

Culture Ministers from around 40 countries will be gathering at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh next month, to hold discussions with leading artistic figures about the role of culture in international dialogue. The Edinburgh International Culture Summit – the first event of its kind – will examine why culture is important, its contribution to social and economic development, and different international approaches to promoting and supporting culture. Three sessions will be open to the public, held on 13 and 14 August in the Parliament’s Debating Chamber and broadcast live online. They will include a discussion about sustaining private and public support for culture, which will share views on different funding models and how nations can develop a sustainable environment in which artists and creativity can flourish. Delegates will also be debating these issues in policy sessions, where they will be joined by leading cultural thinkers. The Summit is a collaboration between the Scottish Government, the UK Government, the British Council and the Edinburgh International Festival.