London launches cultural conference programme

The events - which take place in Glasgow, Cardiff and London - will form part of the London 2012 FriendShip Week festival between 20-25 June.

London's plans for the 2012 Games include hosting a World Cultural Fair in the city, bringing diverse communities from all over the globe to share in the celebrations surrounding the Games.

The 'Exploring Internationalism' series invites cultural practitioners and creative leaders to debate the issues and challenges faced by the United Kingdom's relationships with other countries.

Jude Kelly, Chair of Culture and Education at London 2012, stressed the importance of internationalism in the Olympic Movement.

"The World Cultural Fair re-affirms the original aspirations of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Movement, to create the Olympic Games as a tool for learning about other nations and civilisations," she said.

Details of the events are as follows:

• Glasgow - 20 June
  In Glasgow, the agenda will include an analysis of intercultural engagement in rural areas. For more information, visit the Centre for Cultural Policy Research website or email b.garcia@arts.gla.ac.uk
• Cardiff - 21 June
  The Cardiff event is part of the UK Cultural Cities Network, and will include an examination of the role culture plays creating international links between cities. For more information, please see www.visitcardiff2005.co.uk
• London - 22 June
  The London Forum will focus on the role of inter-cultural engagement in creative regeneration. For more information, please email amy.bater@london2012.com

The output from these forums will be summarised in a report which will be widely distributed across the UK's cultural communities.

19 May 2005