This network set up in 2019 brings together international and scholarly institutions on the initiative of ifa in close collaboration with the British Council. ICRRA sees itself as a bridge builder between practical cultural work, scholarly reflection, policy advice and the media. The goals of the network are the transfer of research-based knowledge in politics and society, and the promotion of international knowledge exchange and cooperation in cultural relations.
ICRRA seeks to connect institutions that are practically or theoretically concerned with issues of international cultural relations and thus promote international, evidence-based discourse on issues of international cultural relations and foreign cultural policy.
The activity of the network consists in
In this way, ICRRA aims, on the one hand, to create a digital forum for international and publicly accessible discussion at a time when the concept of 'culture' is once again becoming the centre of increased political debate worldwide. On the other hand, ifa focuses on institutionalising and consolidating the theoretical discussion between actors in the field of international cultural relations.
The British Council builds connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language.
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ICRRA is a network of researchers and practitioners initiated by ifa and the British Council to foster knowledge exchange and discussion around international cultural relations. (See Statement of Intent)
ICRRA does not hold interests other than supporting research-based discussion and knowledge exchange. It is not a political association, policymaking or governmental body, and does not advocate for a particular political programme or direction. The network supports the sharing, dissemination and discussion of rigorous and ethical research and policy work that has been undertaken for the public good.
ICRRA’s membership includes institutional representatives of ifa and the British Council to oversee network administration, including of the ICRRA website, and to promote the network’s continuity and sustainability. All other members are appointed on the basis of their individual professional expertise and research interests, rather than as representatives of their respective institutions. ICRRA is governed by a Management Committee, whose views and decisions represent the network as a whole rather than ifa or the British Council specifically.
Membership is open to researchers and practitioners with a demonstrated track record in the field of cultural relations and who are employed by or affiliated to:
→ not-for-profit academic institutions, or departments;
→ not-for-profit cultural relations organisations that are deemed by the Management Committee to be independent of, or operate at arm’s length from, national or regional governments.
Membership may be applied for only with the endorsement of at least one current or former ICRRA member.
ICRRA particularly welcomes membership applications from eligible researchers and practitioners from regions that are currently under-represented in the network.
Decisions on membership applications will be made by the Management Committee, which meets monthly.
Individuals that do not meet the criteria for membership may still be invited to participate in ICRRA meetings and events as guests or affiliated members.
Management Committee decisions may be challenged or queried by emailing: dialogundforschung(at)ifa.de
Complete the online Application Form
Applications will be reviewed by the Management Committee
We aim to respond to applicants within 21 days of receipt of the application. For more information on the application procedure, please contact dialogundforschung(at)ifa.de
With less than a decade to go to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the world needs to reflect urgently on how to promote peaceful relations among countries and between communities. How can the arts, heritage and cultural sectors most effectively contribute to peace in an uncertain and increasingly conflicted world (SDG 16)? How do the cultural engagements that occur between countries, communities, cultures, and peoples – International Cultural Relations – support the building of partnerships in diverse global contexts (SDG 17)? And how can this re-energise the implementation of the SDGs?
What are 'good' cultural relations practices under the current global circumstances? How do different cultural actors and academic disciplines conceptualise processes of (re-)ordering? What is the price of our values? What do core cultural relations concepts such as trust and knowledge pluralism mean for the postcolonial situation? What is fair cooperation – and with whom should we be cooperating? What kind of alliances do cultural cooperations need to tackle global challenges? These and more questions were discussed in October 2021 at the ICRRA-conference 'Cooperation in a fragmented world. International cultural relations at the crossroads of climate, health and political crisis'.
Policy Brief
by ICRRA members Naren Chitty, Carla Figueira, Avril Joffe, James Perkins, Odila Triebel
How should cultural relations researchers and practitioners respond to the COVID-19 pandemic? What can we learn from each other? And what are the emerging themes for future research? In October 2020 the ICRRA conference 'Cultural Relations and Crisis: Results, Impact, New Questions' examined the state, shape and role of international cultural relations at a time of global crisis.
Conference summary
by James Perkins
Charlottenplatz 17
D-70173 Stuttgart
