We envision stronger global cultural relations that enable long-term sectoral development via new opportunities for international collaboration and exchange – partnerships based on mutual understanding, trust and intercultural dialogue, whereby arts and creativity transcend borders.

We foresee Malta’s cultural and creative practitioners becoming increasingly engaged in international exchanges and co-productions in the coming years. Given the constant evolution of the cultural and creative sectors, we also understand that there is a need to develop the skills of creative professionals to engage internationally. This includes reaching out to new and diverse audiences around the globe and sustaining the growth of cultural and creative entrepreneurs. In addition, there are also spill-over effects in other sectors, including nation branding, development, tourism and trade.

As being partly responsible for implementing the National Cultural Policy 2021, ACM shall advocate for a more open approach to cultural relations – one encompassing open dialogue with multiple stakeholders to engage and mobilise citizens, artists, civil society and cultural institutions. Our strategy will be directed towards building trust and nurturing relationships across national borders, as well as supporting and facilitating cross-border creative experimentation and new international cultural projects. Our existing and future roles as a national entity within international networks will also contribute to global conversations shaping the trajectory of international cultural relations.

For these reasons, we embrace the guiding principles of the EU’s agenda in international cultural relations, as established in the Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council: Towards an EU Strategy for International Cultural Relations. The document reaffirms the EU’s commitment to the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and encourages cultural cooperation between EU member states and partner countries by “promoting a global order based on peace, the rule of law, freedom of expression, mutual understanding and respect for fundamental rights.” 11 12

11 European Commission, 2016. Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council: Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations.


12 International Cultural Relations are also one of the five priorities of the EU Work Plan for Culture 2019-2022.