For at least three decades the topic of culture has been one of the central elements of development cooperation policies around the world. Numerous reports on the implications of culture in societal and human development processes have inspired researchers and intellectuals as well as policy-makers and cultural operators to look for new tools in order to ensure the adequate position of culture in overall development cooperation strategies. In the context of the current worldwide economic crisis, the challenge of effective and inclusive development cooperation seems more pressing then ever.
Today, German and European decision-makers, local authorities, the private sector and civil society, are taking an increasing interest in culture in its various forms as a contributing factor to development on a human scale. It has shown that cultural awareness shows off in terms of economic performance and human development, but also that cultural resources are infinite if one knows how to apply their creative potential. Examples at local as well as at German, European and worldwide levels, show that culture as a resource for development has a high potential for attracting businesses, job creation, generating income and investment, while providing a matrix in which anyone can invent the terms of his or her development. Since culture is dynamic by nature, it provides various well-suited opportunities in the context of the current global crisis and the proceeding loss of identity within our global village. Might not culture, given its rich diversity, be part of the solution for sustainable and more equitable development? Should we not move culture to the forefront of our thinking on models for development and for international dc? And, if yes, what are the obstacles for cultural management? How can we assure that cultural aspects, in its broader sense, are more efficiently integrated into local, national and regional development programs?
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1. Introduction into the subject
1.2. Research questions and follow-up questions
1.3. Structure of the thesis
1.4. Presentation of the applied methodology
2. Culture and Development: A theoretical approach to the subject.
2.1. Development
2.1.1. New concepts: Sustainable and Human Development
2.1.2. Development cooperation
2.1.3. Developing countries
2.2. Culture
2.3. Central concepts of culture in development cooperation
2.3.1. Culture as a context
2.3.2. Culture as a sector
2.4. Measuring the impact of culture to development
2.5. Summary: the different concepts of Culture and Development
3. The international institutional, economical and political framework
3.1. International Policy and Institutions in the field of Culture and Development
3.1.1. Worldwide Institutions
3.1.2. Worldwide Policy
3.1.3. Cultural Policy and Development Cooperation in the European Union
3.2. The international economical background
3.2.1. Distribution of development aid flows
3.2.2. The impact of the financial crisis on development aid
3.2.3. The role of the European Union in ODA flows
3.2.4. The economic aspects of German development cooperation
3.3. Summary
4. Cultural policy in the German Development Cooperation
4.1. The institutional players in the field of Culture and Development in Germany
4.1.1. The Federal Foreign Offices
4.1.2. The Goethe-Institut
4.1.3. The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
4.1.4. The GIZ
4.1.5. Other institutions
4.2. Culture as a context in German Development Cooperation
4.2.1 The policy background on sociocultural aspects in German development cooperation
4.2.2. The practical integration of culture as a context into Development Cooperation projects
4.3. Culture as a sector in German Development Cooperation
4.3.1. The convergence of German foreign cultural policy and development policy
4.3.3. Culture as a sector: Cultural Management in Development Cooperation by the example of CERCAPAZ
5. Conclusions: Towards a better model for the integration of culture into German development cooperation policy
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This thesis investigates the relevance of different concepts of 'Culture and Development' within German development cooperation, focusing on both policy frameworks and practical implementation in development projects.
- Theoretical analysis of 'Culture' and 'Development' as complex, multidimensional terms.
- Examination of the international institutional and economic framework influencing cultural policy.
- Assessment of the institutional landscape in Germany, including the roles of the Federal Foreign Office, BMZ, and GIZ.
- Case studies on the practical integration of culture into German development cooperation projects, such as CERCAPAZ in Colombia.
Excerpt from the Book
2. Culture and Development: A theoretical approach to the subject.
When we talk about development cooperation and want to examine the role of culture in this context we will have to ask ourselves the following questions: What do we actually mean by development? Who and what shall be developed? Whose interests does this development then serve? Is it maybe to create global markets for goods and services from wealthy economies so that development is but the handmaiden of capitalism? Is it to serve some broader ideological imperative or is it even used as a tool against the economic domination by one or another regional or global power? And, of course: What do we actually intend when we use the term culture, this term that seems to encompass so much and so little at the same time?
As we can see, the difficulties in the dispute on the topic of Culture and Development already starts with the terminology: Indeed the two terms development and culture belong to those words of every-day-use of which everybody thinks their meaning was obvious and unambiguous. But in fact, depending on person, context, science or organization, both can mean completely different things. This has led to the fact that even after 15 years of discourse on the topic of culture in development cooperation, we still have to struggle with a confusing conglomerate of definitions, meanings and connotations which often bear the risk of talking at cross purposes – sometimes even without even noticing it.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: Outlines the research scope, questions, and the author's methodology, including qualitative interviews and literature review.
2. Culture and Development: A theoretical approach to the subject.: Provides a theoretical reflection on defining 'development' and 'culture' and their interconnectedness in international discourse.
3. The international institutional, economical and political framework: Analyzes the global and European policy landscape and economic foundations that shape development aid.
4. Cultural policy in the German Development Cooperation: Details the institutional actors in Germany and examines how culture is integrated into German development policies and projects.
5. Conclusions: Towards a better model for the integration of culture into German development cooperation policy: Summarizes the findings and provides recommendations for a more effective integration of cultural dimensions in development cooperation.
Keywords
Culture, Development, Development Cooperation, Cultural Policy, Arts Management, German Foreign Policy, GIZ, BMZ, Sustainable Development, Human Development, International Institutions, Cultural Diplomacy, Sociocultural Analysis, Aid Effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The work examines the role, relevance, and integration of 'culture' within German development cooperation, analyzing both theoretical definitions and practical policy applications.
Which thematic fields are central to the research?
Key themes include the institutional framework of German development aid, the dichotomy between 'culture as a context' and 'culture as a sector', and the impact of the global financial crisis on aid.
What is the primary objective of the study?
The thesis aims to show how culture can provide specific opportunities for development and how to efficiently integrate cultural aspects into existing local, national, and regional development programs.
Which research methodology does the author use?
The research relies on an extensive literature review and qualitative semi-open, face-to-face, and telephone interviews with experts from the Goethe-Institut and GIZ.
What is addressed in the main body of the work?
The main body investigates the institutional players in Germany (AA, BMZ, GIZ), the historical evolution of cultural policies in development, and the specific case study of the CERCAPAZ program in Colombia.
Which keywords characterize the work?
The work is defined by terms such as Cultural Policy, Development Cooperation, Arts Management, Sustainable Development, and the integration of cultural dimensions into donor policy.
How does the author define the 'culture as a sector' approach?
This approach views culture through its narrower definition, focusing on artistic forms of expression and cultural industries, which serve as creative laboratories and drivers of economic and societal development.
What is the conclusion regarding the CERCAPAZ program?
The program is cited as a 'case par excellence' for the effective integration of culture into development, demonstrating how artistic initiatives can address structural causes of conflict and promote nonviolent dialogue.
- Quote paper
- Benno Schmidt (Author), 2012, Development through Culture, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/202538
