Promotion of civil society initiatives for cultural diversity
1. Rainbow Bridge Project (cultural projects for social integration)
2. World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, May 21
The Rainbow Bridge Project is designed to raise awareness of cultural diversity and promote cultural diversity projects centered on arts and culture. It also seeks to develop and maintain self-sustaining projects of cultural diversity at local communities. It helps cultural minorities expand their roles as active players in cultural scenes through inter-cultural exchanges, communication and interactions.
Under Article 11 of the Act on Cultural Diversity, the Day of Cultural Diversity was designated to enhance the public understanding of cultural diversity, promote cultural enjoyment and disseminate the value of cultural diversity.
▪The Rainbow Bridge Project was designed to promote the autonomous cultural expression of cultural minorities and communication and exchanges between diverse cultural subjects. It operates various programs related to living culture and popular culture that are oriented to consumers. The operator of the project formulates plans, manages the project, and offers consulting services, establishing the local community- organization-individual network in the process.
▪The Rainbow Bridge Project is divided into three categories in accordance with the theme. The first is the activities to lay a foundation for cultural diversity which include ① conducting survey and research and holding roundtable meetings and forums ② organizing working groups, networks, commissions and consultative committees, and ③ operating educational programs and providing a training for those who play intermediary roles. The second is the activities to identify the value of cultural diversity which include ① operation of cultural programs focused on the minorities, and ② implementation of culture exchange programs for the mainstream and minority groups. The third is the activities to disseminate the value of cultural diversity via ① value-sharing campaigns, promotions and festivals, and ② production and distribution of media content, archiving of video images and podcasting on the value of cultural diversity.
2.
▪On the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (May 21), a variety of programs on cultural diversity (exhibition, performance, discussion forums) will be provided in support of the regional cultural diversity campaigns across the nation. The Day was celebrated under the theme of “Enjoy differences” in 2016 with 24 cultural organizations in 17 local communities joining the celebrative event.
▪On the Day, colloquium, talk show and discussion sessions are held to share the meaning of cultural diversity. Regional operators of the Rainbow Bridge Project will provide a variety of programs for residents of local communities.
The Rainbow Bridge Project is expected to raise awareness of cultural diversity. It will promote social integration with expanded opportunities for cultural expressions of minorities. The project also offers opportunities of exchange between various cultural subjects. The local network established by local cultural institutions along with immigrants and cultural organizations will promote cultural diversity.
The Day of Cultural Diversity is expected to raise and promote awareness of cultural diversity. The public participation in the programs would lead to civic consensus on cultural diversity and diversity of cultural expressions.
2,139,660 dollar (as of 2016)
179,051 dollar (as of 2016)
The Rainbow Bridge Project has attained qualitative and quantitative achievements. First, it has achieved quantitative growth. The number of participants increased and more institutions joined the project. The number of programs also grew, testifying to the attempts to expand the scope of the project. Participants expressed satisfaction with the programs. Second, it has achieved qualitative growth. The operators of the project reexamined the direction of the project on a fundamental level. They also made efforts to draw more attentions from partner institutions to the project and to ensure efficiency and sustainability of roundtable meetings for the project, as well as forging cooperative ties with partner organizations and specializing the functions of the program operators. In addition, they made experimental attempts to develop new projects by utilizing diverse convergence media.