| Culture/Public diplomacy |
| Factsheet on International Cultural Policy |
| The cultural side of foreign policy was long regarded as a logical extension of politics and economics. That view has changed, and culture is now assigned a much more important role, joining politics and economics as an independent pillar of foreign policy. Cultural cooperation raises the Netherlands' profile abroad and gives broader substance to our relations with other countries. The ties between two countries are defined by the closeness of their contacts and the mutual esteem that arises from them. |
 Cultural factsheet  |
| Embassy activities |
| Low country High profile, Cultural Mission Statement |
| The Cultural, Press and Information programme of the Royal Netherlands Embassy in 2006 will highlight the cultural profile of the Netherlands in a diverse way. We will build on the course set out in 2004-2005 during the EU presidency. Although the budget is limited the ambition is high. The Royal Netherlands Embassy will play a central role as a cultural broker to link and bring Dutch cultural activities to Serbia and Montenegro. The focus will be to present the Netherlands in the main cultural fields in close collaboration with institutions and organizations from The Netherlands and Serbia and Montenegro. There is a dynamic cultural scene in Serbia and Montenegro which however still need structural support. The Royal Netherlands Embassy projects will also focus on capacity building as well as improving the infrastructure in the cultural field. We aim to support cultural activities throughout Serbia and Montenegro. We believe in coordination and harmonisation where possible and will continue to seek joint projects and alignment with international partners. |
| Activities in 2008 |
| Activities in 2007 |
| Activities in 2006 |
| Service Centre for International Cultural Activities |
| Dutch artists and cultural organisations are becoming increasingly involved in cultural activities throughout the world. The SICA was set up in 1999 to promote the exchange of information and documentation between different cultural sectors, to improve co-ordination and to encourage a lively interchange of expertise and experience within the field of international culture. The SICA has set up a Cultural Contact Point in The Netherlands (CCP), with the specific remit to encourage and assist Dutch individuals and organisations, involved in the arts and heritage field, to make successful applications to the EU framework program Culture 2000. In general The SICA is an independent information centre and co-ordination point. It distributes information on cultural funding and all practical aspects of international cultural policy to Dutch organisations. The SICA is also an international arts desk and provides information for organisations from abroad looking for contacts in the Netherlands. They are referred to Dutch cultural foundations, institutes and other national organisations. The organisations are given information on potential opportunities, possible partner organisations, relevant existing Dutch cultural activities and projects, financial mechanisms and networks. The SICA also promotes and co-ordinates the exchange of international expertise and knowledge between the various cultural sectors. To achieve this, the SICA has developed a wide range of activities: information and discussion workshops, a website, fact-sheets and a magazine. The SICA serves as a consultant on international cultural policy issues on an ad-hoc basis. Foreign Visitors Program The SICA has a Foreign Visitors’ Programme: this is an opportunity to invite key cultural figures, officials and journalists to the Netherlands. Potential guests should have a broad interest in Dutch cultural activities and/or Dutch cultural policy. It is vital that the visit also serves the interest of the Dutch cultural sector. For more information, please contact the SICA: post@sicasica.nl Website The SICA has its own website where individual artists and organisations can search for detailed information and link to other (international) websites. The Cultural Contact Point provides detailed information on the European cultural program, Culture 2000. Information is also available in English. Magazine The SICA publishes a quarterly magazine, SICAmag (in Dutch) with in-depth articles on international projects and events. It also includes a calendar of events- Buitengaats, with information on performances and exhibitions of Dutch artists abroad. Service Centre for International Cultural Activities (SICA) Van Diemenstraat 410 1013 CR Amsterdam The Netherlands Tel: +31 20 6164 225 Fax: +31 20 6128 152  post@sicasica.nl,www.sica.nl |
| Documentaries about the Netherlands that can be rented at the Royal Netherlands Embassy, free of cost |
| List of videotapes |
