11. Nov 2016

ANCHORING ICORN - navigating new possibilities for freedom of speech

ICORN participates in the first meeting of the bilateral project initiated by our two members, Krakow and Växjö cities of refuge, to promote and recover competence in the cultural sector trough the ICORN system.

The meeting will take place 14 – 15 november, 2016 at Det fria ordets hus (the House of Free Speech) in Växjö.

How can ICORN cities work together with NGO´s and private partners to create platforms and greater possibility for newly arrived cultural workers, as musicians, artists, writers, publishers etc. What are the challenges? What could be the solution? That is the core of this important initiative, supported by the Swedish Institute.

Helge Lunde, Executive Director of ICORN says:

“ICORN’s primary resources are first and foremost found in its member cities. Nothing could prove this thesis better than the Anchoring ICORN project. The way Växjö, Krakow and Lviv now works together to explore and fulfill the potentials of being and becoming ICORN members is extremely encouraging. I am sure the ideas and experiences generated by the project will be as many as they are diverse and creative. And may be most important, both the project itself and its products will be examples to share as widely and massively as possible.”

The purpose of the first network meeting is to share perspectives and strengthen the partnership between organizations working for and within the ICORN network in Sweden. During the two-day workshop representing parties contribute with their perspective on what they see as challenges and possibilities, says Project coordinator at the House of Free Speech, Karin Hansson.

The workshop is a part of the larger project, Anchoring ICORN in the Baltic Sea Region – Navigating new possibilities for freedom of speech, with the objective to expand knowledge-sharing platforms starting with the following institutions: Cultural Industries Association (Lviv/Ukraine), Det fria ordets hus (Växjö/Sweden), Krakow Festival Office (Krakow/Poland), Publishers’ Forum (Lviv/Ukraine), Villa Decius Association (Krakow/Poland).

Anchoring ICORN is focused on building promotional strategies of the region's integration activities of persecuted writers, their literature as well as human rights principles. It aims to prepare the foundation for future development of the network in the region and joint initiatives. Its activities will comprise of a series of national workshops, conferences and network meetings in all three countries, among others.

Anchoring ICORN runs between October 2016 and end in March 2018. During this period, a series of workshops and network meetings will be held in each partner country. The workshops will be attended by national partners (local stakeholders, NGO´s, universities, media and local government representatives) working within the field of freedom of speech, integration of persecuted artists or literature. At the end of 2017, an international conference will be held in Krakow, Poland, where the compounded know – how will be presented.