The 2014 Edinburgh International Culture Summit will place a spotlight on the importance of international dialogue between policy-makers, artists and arts leaders. Hosted by the Scottish Parliament, the Summit is bringing Culture Ministers and a range of eminent speakers to Edinburgh this August. Speakers will include Ms Nandi Mandela, a business woman and grand-daughter of Nelson Mandela; Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO; Robyn Archer, prolific Australian musician; artist and writer, Saskia Sassen; author and globalisation expert Michael Power, author of seminal work ‘The Audit Society: Rituals of Verification’ and Jordi Savall, internationally renowned musician.

With a wide spectrum of experience from arts, academia, philanthropy and international relations, speakers will draw on these topic areas as part of a lively programme of discussions and debates based on this year’s theme ‘Culture – a Currency of Trust’ reflecting the Summit’s belief in the capacity of the arts and culture to foster mutual understanding between nations and among citizens.

This year’s programme will offer plenary sessions in the Scottish Parliament Debating Chamber which are open to the public via a ballot system, with detailed private policy discussions around three interlinking strands.

• Values and Measurements: the principles of valuing culture and how to measure that value
• Cities and Culture: the city as the locus of cultural innovation and participation
• Advocacy and Identity: how culture and cultural diversity are best sustained, promoted and protected.

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