New Perspectives Network

NEW PERSPECTIVES NETWORK -  A promising project for improving governance through culture

Countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine

Project initiated in: 2010

Presented by: Goethe-Institut

Project budget: EUR 260 000

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// Context

The former Soviet Union countries in transition are in the midst of a rapid process of change, with particular challenges in terms of participation, democratisation and environment. Within the societies, at new and old “nerve centres” in ministries and local authorities, in media, social, educational and cultural institutions, there are people with potential for change, with clear sight of challenges and a will to make society evolve in a positive way. Nevertheless, this potential has not yet matured. Participation and volunteer work at a civil society level is weak in CIS countries; less than 3% of the population participates in any activity of social or public interest, compared to broadly 25% in many Western countries.

Acknowledging the transforming potential of culture and artistic activities, the Goethe-Institut launched the New Perspectives Network covering ten countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). It attempts to foster behavioural change and civil society participation through a structured network of civil society organisations linked in a common cross-border process linking culture and environmental issues.

// Project objectives 

• Reinforce civil society organisations through participation in a structured regional network and enhance their role in terms of promoting and defending society values.
• Promote civil participation in social and environmental debate.
• Use cultural and artistic activities to raise awareness and promote action in areas of collective interest.
• The specific goal is to set up a network of organisations that will promote social and behavioural change in their respective countries, conveying messages related to environment protection, mainly through arts and cultural events.

With the Goethe-Institut support, the project was initiated with a 20-day summer academy on culture and climate change, held in Berlin, with the participation of environmentalists from all partner countries. Training sessions and theatre, audiovisual and performing arts workshops were held. Field work was carried out in the city to learn about the environmental protection initiatives in Berlin. The participants gathered ideas and experience aimed to propose and implement cultural projects in their countries.

Information and exchanges within the project are channelled through a blog.

// Expected results

• The New Perspectives Network is expected to implement cross-border cultural projects in all partner countries, inspired on international experiences in environmental protection.
• Individual participants will be trained and will acquire experience to become vectors of change within their respective countries and fields of activity.
• The link between culture and environment will be reinforced.
• Public awareness on environmental challenges will be enhanced.
• National participant organisations will gain in strength through collective work and international support, and will become permanent social actors promoting progressive transformation within their respective societies. 

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