Representatives from European cultural observatories will be gathering in Belfast next week, to explore the possibility of a Northern Ireland based observatory for culture.

Cultural observatories have already been established in other parts of Europe to research the most effective ways to support the cultural and creative industries.

Experts believe there an increasing need for a more coordinated approach to mapping the impacts of the cultural and creative industries in Northern Ireland.

The Interarts Foundation, Barcelona, the Budapest Cultural Observatory and the Cultural Observatory of Piedmont from Torino will offer advice on their own experiences at the special policy meeting on Tuesday.

Chaired by Geoffrey Brown, Director of EUCLID UK, there will also be presentations from the European Network of Cultural Administration Training Centers (ENCATC) and Culturelink Network based in Zagreb. 

Following discussion on the role of the European cultural observatories and agencies, there will be a debate on the development of an observatory in Northern Ireland including the necessary goals, structure and funding that would be required.

The delegates will include representatives from political parties, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the British Council and practitioners.

This one-day Think Tank is being organised by the Northern Ireland Centre for European Co-operation (NICEC) at the University of Ulster at Magee and EUCLID UK, the UK’s cultural contact for the EU.

The NICEC programme of activities is funded by the EU Peace II Programme through the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister. 

The Think Tank will take place at the Hilton Hotel Belfast on the 07 March 2006. For further information, please contact: Nollaig Ó Fiongháile on 028 7137 5292 or e mail: n.ofionghaile@ulster.ac.uk

For further information, please contact:

Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter