Originally entitled, the ASEM Conference on Cultures and Civilisations (COCC), the ASEM Culture Ministers Meeting occurs every two or three years to discuss cultural diversity and cooperation between Asia and Europe. The First ASEM Conference on Cultures and Civilisations (3-4 December 2003 Beijing, China) followed an initiative by China and was co-sponsored by France, Denmark, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. It brought together the Ministers to discuss issues of cultural diversity in Asia and Europe. The Ministers particularly appreciated the contributions made to cultural exchanges by the Asia-Europe Foundation. The first meeting called for the development of a long term plan on promoting dialogue among civilisations and increasing cultural exchanges between Asia and Europe. Follow-up actions include, notably, the encouragement of exchanges by young people and the organisation of cultural and arts festivals. The Second ASEM Conference on Cultures and Civilisations (6-11 June 2005 Paris, France) followed up on developing a long-term plan. Ministers adopted the Action Plan of Culture Ministers, which encouraged cultural interactions among the peoples of Asia and Europe at all levels; Ministers also agreed to rename the meeting to its present name, the ASEM Culture Ministers Meeting. The meeting's theme was Cultural Diversity: Opportunities and Challenges – ASEM's long term plan. The Third ASEM Culture Ministers' Meeting (21-24 April 2008 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) focused on the theme: Cultural Diversity – Realizing the Action Plan. The meeting followed up on the Action Plan adopted bythe Ministers during the 2nd ASEM COCC. Culture Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to implement the Action Plan, in particular by enhancing networking between cultural professionals, promoting cultural and artistic exchanges, and facilitating cooperation between artistic institutions. The Fourth ASEM Culture Ministers' Meeting (8-10 September 2010 Poznan, Poland) focused on the theme, Heritage and the Challenges of the Present. |
