Seoul Hosts Global Cultural Leaders
Authored by BDiGiT MAGAZINE
May 27th, 2025
From May 27 to 30, 2025, Seoul, Republic of Korea, will host the 10th World Summit on Arts and Culture, one of the most influential gatherings of cultural leaders worldwide. Organised by the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) in partnership with Arts Council Korea (ARKO), the summit marks a major moment for global cultural exchange and dialogue.
A Milestone in Cultural Collaboration
The summit also celebrates 50 years of ARKO’s work in the arts. It will reflect on what has been done and open up conversations about what lies ahead for arts and culture. Policymakers, artists, researchers, and cultural leaders from more than 70 countries will come together to discuss how to keep the cultural and creative sectors moving forward.
The Summit Themes and Objectives
Under the theme “Charting the Future of Arts and Culture,” the 10th World summit will focus on adapting and innovating within the cultural and creative sectors (CCS). The discussions will focus on three main areas:
Knowledge Systems and Agency: The summit will examine diverse knowledge systems and how they influence cultural decision-making.
Participatory Systems and Connectedness: It will show how culture can foster inclusivity and strengthen community cohesion.
Digital Systems and Technology: The impact of digital transformations on culture and creativity will be considered.
The goal is to create space for collaboration, generate new ideas, and develop sustainable approaches that keep culture alive and welcoming for everyone.
Distinguished Speakers and Participants
The summit features an impressive lineup of international speakers, including:
Dr. RAY LC (Hong Kong SAR, China): Assistant Professor of Creative Media at City University of Hong Kong. He works on how people and computers interact and how AI can support creativity.
Micaela Mantegna (Argentina): Lawyer and researcher known for her work on AI ethics, extended reality (XR) policy, and cultural copyright law.
Solamalemalo Dr. Hai-Yuean Tualima (New Zealand): Senior Law Lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington, with expertise in intellectual property rights and traditional knowledge.
Abid Hussain (England): Director of Diversity at Arts Council England. He works to create cultural spaces where everyone feels included.
Samba Yonga (Zambia): Co-founder and director of Zambia’s Women’s History Museum, working on restoring Indigenous African narratives through digital technologies.
Dr. Hae-Bo Kim (Republic of Korea): Advising Director of Policy and Strategy Division at Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, contributing to cultural policy development.
Dr. Shain Shapiro (England): Executive Director of the Centre for Music Ecosystems. He works at the intersection of music, culture, and city planning.
Susannah Tasanee Martin Tantemsapya (Thailand): Founder and Executive Director of Creative Migration and Bangkok 1899, involved in the UNFCCC Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action initiative.
Program Highlights
The summit will feature a range of sessions. These will include:
- Panel Discussions where experts from different fields share their thoughts.
- Workshops that offer practical ideas and hands-on experience.
- Networking Opportunities that allow participants to meet and connect with cultural leaders from all over the world.
Featured Sessions Include:
“Resistance, Resilience, Response, Renewal” – A conversation between Ayoung Kim (Republic of Korea) and Michael Running Wolf (USA), introduced by Simon Mellor (England).
Plenary: “The Future of Culture in Times of Exponential Shifts” – With Yarri Kamara (Sierra Leone/Uganda), Márcia Helena Gonçalves Rollemberg (Brazil), Chunsoo Shin (Republic of Korea), and Alexandra Xanthaki (Greece/UK), moderated by Kristin Danielsen (Norway).
World Café: “(Re)imagining Our Futures” – A collaborative session with participants from Cambodia, the Czech Republic, Brazil, New Zealand, the Philippines, Zambia, and Chile/USA.
A Step Towards MONDIACULT 2025
This Summit lays the groundwork for the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development, known as MONDIACULT 2025. It will take place in Barcelona this September. The outcomes of the Seoul summit will help guide what comes next at the global cultural policy conference.
Join the Global Conversation
Follow updates and join the conversation using the hashtag #ArtSummitKorea. For more information, visit the official summit website at www.artsummit.org
BDiGiT Magazine will keep you updated with stories and news from the summit. We want to bring you the most exciting talks and ideas about the future of arts and culture.