Safe Havens Conference Global Stream, NOV 10–13, DEC 3


ABOUT SAFE HAVENS The annual Safe Havens conference is a global network meeting between artists, activists, NGO:s, lawyers and intergovernmental organizations - sometimes referred to as the Arts Rights Justice sector, on topics related to artistic freedom and the support to artists, writers and other culture producers who face threats, persecution and censorship. The conference has its starting point in a human rights perspective and aims to be a meeting place for human rights defenders within the arts and academia as a way to make visible cultural operators. The conference is organized in a process of collaboration between different cultural operators and organizations, where focus is directed on the connection between culture and human rights. Furthermore, the conference is a way of visualizing the significant position of culture and academia in human rights advocacy and moving towards sharing and using knowledge between cultural operators, scholars and major human rights and cultural organizations. SAFE HAVENS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES THE FIRST EVENT OF GLOBAL STREAM (Workshops | 11-13 November 2020 / Round table | 3 December 2020) Safe Havens is a once-a-year conference opportunity where arts and human rights activists share and use their experience. It continues virtually this year under the title of Safe Havens Global Stream. Prioritising artists, smaller organisations and individuals working on the ground to support artists, journalists and writers at risk, phase one of the conference takes place between 10 and 13 November 2020. Starting on Tuesday, November 10 with a virtual social event, three afternoons of international discussion and exchange follow, using a partially open space type format that we are calling ‘Hives’. This year, the conference is based on two foundational principles as elaborated in 2018 by Safe Havens participants and Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights. First, it was a call to this ‘emerging sector’ combining arts and free expression, from international NGOs to local initiatives, to collaborate strategically and effectively. At the same time, the sector should prioritise people and initiatives working on the ground, wherever they are, to ensure they have greater voice and visibility. Safe Havens Global Stream 2020 includes five, one-hour long ‘Main Hives’ animated by inspirational activists discussing a broad, currently crucial theme. Participants will be invited to propose ‘Sub Hives’ that follow in smaller break-out groups, on specific themes, languages or issues, linked to the main topic. Main Hives will be accessible to the conference participants. A report of the November conference will be discussed in a one-day webinar including the artistic interventions curated by Safemuse on Thursday, December 3 for international NGOs, institutions, policy-makers and funders. Reacting to the recommendations from Safe Havens in November, they will respond regarding their collective vision for the way forward.

Details of the updated programme are given below. Started in 2013, the Safe Havens conference has been a place for the many different artists and practitioners in the cultural and free expression sectors, as well as international NGOs, agencies, policy makers and funders. Aiming to view the full landscape of global protection, promotion and advocacy of censored and threatened artists, writers, journalists and academics, as well as to assess the risks and the challenges for cultural workers globally - and to find where and how their initiatives can best be of use, the Safe Havens conference will remain an open forum to discuss questions such as: “How can we, as representatives of global or regional networks, come together? How can we use our knowledge and expertise in defending those comrades who are in precarious situations because of war and unrest? What more can be done? Can we mobilise and reach further to have a stronger impact globally?” and find solutions together.

Fredrik Elg, initiator of the conference, said: “We are artists, writers, musicians, activists and administrators from all over the world. We are in this together. And, the Safe Havens conference is the place where we come together. The conference is not a step towards establishing a new formal network, it is an open forum for all of us who see a point in meeting, interacting and sharing with new and old friends in order to learn from each other. It is a cosmopolitan space - a platform - where new collaborations take shape.”

Welcome to the 2020 Global Stream Safe Havens conference! -The organizing committee The 2020 Safe Havens conference is sponsored by: The Museum of Movements (MoM) Safemuse Norwegian Arts Council Swedish Arts Council Fritt Ord More details, program and participants at our website! www.rorelsernasmuseum.se

När: 3 december 2020 09:00 - 3 december 2020 17:00

Var: / Digital

Arrangör: Rörelsernas Museum - MOM

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