Picture Below: Jewish Monument by Anthony Gormley

The strengthening of international understanding is one of the objectives of Norway's participation in international cultural cooperation. The Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs, through its Department of Culture, is responsible for promoting foreign culture in Norway, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press, Cultural Relations and Information Department is responsible for presenting Norwegian art and culture outside Norway.

Norway participates in international cultural cooperation either through bilateral and multilateral agreements or through participation in international organisations and conferences.

Norway has bilateral cultural cooperation with 25 countries in Europe, in addition to Israel, Egypt, India, and China. Under these bilateral programmes there are a number of annual exchanges of artists and exhibitions. A new strategy has been developed for bilateral cultural cooperation with Third World countries. Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation (NORAD) manages cultural exchanges with these countries.

Multilateral cooperation in the cultural field includes participation in the activities of international organizations such as the Nordic Council of Ministers, Council of Europe, and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The Nordic Council of Ministers constitutes the main framework for Norwegian cultural cooperation with the other Nordic countries. This includes cooperation and coordination in a number of fields, as well as the financing of joint Nordic projects and permanent institutions. Nordic cultural cooperation includes regular contacts between Nordic politicians (through the Nordic Council) and civil servants from these countries.

Norway is actively involved in European cultural cooperation within the Council of Europe. This implies participation in the work of different steering committees and subcommittees in the field.

High priority is given to Norway's participation in the activities of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). As a member of UNESCO's Executive Board, Norway has played an active part in the educational, scientific and cultural cooperation of the organisation. Norwegian priorities within UNESCO are basic education for all, environmental issues, cultural heritage and cultural identities, as well as the cultural dimension of development. See also UNESCO Norway National Commission.

Norway also participates in the promotion of the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Cultural Development through its national committee for World Decade for Cultural Development. On the initiative of Norway and the other Nordic countries, a World Commission on Culture and Development has been established under the joint auspices of UNESCO and the United Nations. Norway will follow this work closely through the Norwegian Commission for UNESCO.

See also Nordic Cultural Fund.

Revised text from UNESCO http://www.unesco.org/culturelink/culpol/no.html