About the organizers

[Sacha Kagan]

The organizational strength of the first International Summer School of Arts and Sciences for Sustainability in Social Transformation, benefits from the convergence of the expertise of the two international, non-governmental organizations initiating and implementing this event:

• The International Network Cultura21 (‘Cultural Fieldworks for Sustainability’ ; with organizational bases in Germany, Mexico, Italy and Denmark) brings to the project its expertise in art & science based action & research for “cultures of sustainability”, as well as its network of scientists, academics, artists and other cultural practitioners (with its national Cultura21 organizations in Germany, Italy, Mexico and Nordic-European countries). The German organization “Cultura21 Institut e.V.” and the Denmark-based “Cultura21 Nordic” organization act as partners of the I3C in the preparation and organization of the Summer School and in the follow-up evaluation of the event (evaluation team).
• The International Council for Cultural Centers (I3C ; based in Bulgaria) brings to the project its expertise and commitment in the establishment and coordination of the global network of national networks of community cultural centers (with e.g. the European Network of Cultural Centers), thus I3C contributes a vision and practical experience in network dynamics, trans-continental cooperation, and yet the grassroots realities of small spaces dedicated to community development through the arts. Thematically, I3C has been developing expertise in the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage and cultural diversity synchronized with UNESCO’s Conventions. I3C further acts as the host and organizer of the first edition of the Summer School, in August 2010.

Two further organizations are partners on the organization of the first International Summer School of Arts and Sciences for Sustainability in Social Transformation:

• The Latin American Network of Art for Social Transformation (with its coordination based in Argentina) brings to the project its expertise in transformative artistic practices in communities as well as its extensive network of community arts organizations across South and Central America. The AFST net will contribute with information and connections with outstanding art for social transformation practitioners within arts and sciences.
• The Center for the Study of Culture and Society (CSCS), based in Bangalore (India), a research center working to "understand culture in its most inclusive sense - as encompassing the diverse attempts of people to produce meaning of various kinds".