Report of the debate hold at the European Parliament.

1. connecting
cultures
CARLO PEANO & CARLOTA
CORZO ÁLVAREZ
PREPARED BY
CHAIR CONCLUSIONS
UNSA SPAIN
APPROVED BY
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DEBATE:
"HOW ARTS CAN AFFECT POLITICS AND
SOCIETY:
YOUTH INVOLVEMENT AND CONNECTING
CULTURES INITIATIVE"
JUNE 2018

2. About
The Connecting Cultures exhibition comes out
of the combination between arts and youth
seeking to create a positive impact on society
and looking for solutions to global issues while
interacting between different societal and
political sectors.
We endeavour to be an example on how our
differences should not be seen as a challenge, a
problem or an excuse, but as a tool and
advantage which can empower us to help
people in need and make the world a better
place for everyone regardless the cultural
differences
.We strive for connecting people and cultures to
find a common ground to better understand
each other and cooperate towards brighter and
stable future.
What is Connecting Cultures?
Connecting cultures is an international art
exhibition promoted by UNSA SPAIN (United
Nations Student Association Spain) recently
awarded the “Here for Good Award” from
Laureate International. Our aim is to raise funds
for refugees and enhance awareness about the
topic of the immigration in the EU under the
umbrella of the Goal 17 “Partnerships for the
Goals”.
Connecting Cultures groups artists who
represent different countries contributing to
the art exhibition, namely: Portugal, Greece,
Romania, Italy, Taiwan, Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico,
Argentina, Sweden, Venezuela, United States,
Germany, South Korea, United Kingdom, Russia,
Cuba, Colombia, Morocco, Japan, India and
Spain. Each painting reflects the spirit of the
exhibition, which is to show that there are no
borders between humans beyond self-imposed
as all cultures´essential needs are to cooperate,
shake hands and "connect", offering the best of
themselves to the world. The funds raised by
the exhibitions are heading to the certified
organisation CEAR to directly help refugees.

3. About
-Individuals, groups and businesses can
contribute to our work in three ways: purchase
of paintings, purchase of reproductions and
direct donations to Connecting Cultures.
What is our aim?
The main goal of Connecting Cultures Initiative
is to create a positive impact on society while
using art and interaction between different
societal and political spheres. Connecting
cultures aims to be an example on how our
differences should not be seen as a problem,
but as a tool and advantage which we can use
to make the world a better place. We seek to
create a positive impact on society while using
art and interaction between different societal
and political spheres. We see cultural and
people´s differences as a challenge and
inspiration how we can get inspired and learn
from each other. We see differences as a tool
and advantage which empower us and help us
to make the world a better place for everyone
regardless the origin, skin, gender, age or
cultural background.
What we connect?
- More than 20 different countries through their
representation per artist and art piece.
- Different sectors: our partners, sponsors and
supporters which encompass NGOs, private
sector, businesses, universities, student groups,
start-ups, public institutions and more.
- Ages with the participation of artists ranging
from 20 to 70+ years and supporters from youth
organizations to eldery institutions.
- Genders: we put emphasis on gender balance
between artists, team and coordination.

4. About
Opportunities to impact:
Through our flexible art exhibitions and
debates we adapt the way we exhibit and
discuss to the needs of stakeholders so we are
able to create the maximum impact (solidarity
cocktails, activities with refugees, institutional
debates…)
Connecting Cultures and Sustainable
Development Goals:
In order to solve the common challenges such
as refugees situation and young people
deprivation in conflict zones, all the sectors
need to cooperate to reach the origins of the
problem and look for a common strategy to find
solutions to it. Therefore, the focus of our
exhibitions and debates is on the
implementation of the UN Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) in cooperation with
the European Union which is one of its greatest
supporter. The Connecting Cultures Initiative is
dedicated to the implementation of the
particular 17th Sustainable Development Goal
“Partnerships for goals” that highlights the
importance of partnerships between the
governments, private sector and civil society for
having a successful development agenda.
The Connecting Cultures is also a part of the
ARTS2030 initiative where artists from different
backgrounds raise awareness about the
Sustainable Development Goals. During the
whole process of the exhibitions and debates
organised be CCs, we discuss the SDGs and their
importance in the sustainable world
development.

5. JUNE 2018
SPEAKERS AT THE DEBATE
Our speakers
LOOKING FOR THE MOST
REPRESENTATIVE STAKEHOLDERS
THE MEP OLGA SEHNALOVÁ, S&D IN
THE EP
DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR
EDUCATION AND CULTURE (DG EAC)
NICOLA ROBINSON
ADOLFO PATÓN MONGE, CEPAIM
FOUNTATION
SOPHIE QUERTON, PRESIDENT OF
REFUGEES GOT TALENT
ZAID ALSEEFO, REFUGEES´
REPRESENTATIVE
ISABEL PEREZ DOBARRO, SDSN
YOUTH FOCAL POINT AT UN NYC
LINDA DE SOUSA, ARTIST AT
CONNECTING CULTURES INITIATIVE
CARLOTA CORZO ÁLVAREZ, ART
CURATOR OF "CONNECTING
CULTURES" & PRESIDENT OF UNSA
SPAIN
CHAIR: CARLO PEANO, EUROPEAN
HUB
"TO SOLVE A
COMMON
CHALLENGE IS JUST
POSSIBLE WITH ALL
THE PERSPECTIVES
AND ALL THE
STAKEHOLDERS
COMMITED."

6. JUNE 2018
SPEAKERS AT THE DEBATE
arts & UNITED NATIONS
representatives
CARLOTA CORZO ÁLVAREZ, ART CURATOR OF
"CONNECTING CULTURES" & PRESIDENT OF UNSA
SPAIN :
1º Thanks to everybody:
- S & D group
- All the speakers coming from different places of the world
- All the volunteers working on this project
- To the chair for moderating
- To all the participants of the event
- I also want to thank Katka, that unfortunally could not be here but this day wouldn´t be
possible without her help
2nd CC is a project inside UNSA SPAIN organization. UNSA SPAIN, which means United
Nations Student Association Spain, is a federation of associations at national level from which
I am glad to be the president.
Our main goal, is to expand the United Nations´values and culture through the empowerment
of the youth as agents of change, able to be liders at global challenges and able to connect
with other sectors, ages, countries etc.
We are trying to be an example of the goal 17 “partnerships for the goals” from the United
Nations, under the idea that to solve these global challenges we have to go all together. NGOs
alone, cannot solve global hunger unless private sector, governments, lobby etc discover the
main causes and deliver a common strategy to solve the causes and not just paliate the
consecuences.
From UNSA I just want to add that due to our strategic and innovative perspective and projets,
we´ve been awarded with the prize “Here for Good” from Laureate International Universities

7. JUNE 2018
SPEAKERS AT THE DEBATE
ARTS & UNITED NATIONS
REPRESENTATIVES
.3rd As youth organization related to the United Nations, of course, some of the associations
inside UNSA do organize debates, but, we wanted to go one step forward this time and not
just deliver the typical MUN, in which of course, youth will share other cultures, see different
perspectives and develop soft skills such as communication, leadership, strategic thinking or
team work, but also, create impact in people´s lifes.
Due to this, under the motto of 1 of the biggest debates we organized in Spain we delivered
the project “Connecting Cultures”.
Connecting Cultures is an international art exhibition that put together 1 artist per country
painting about the topic “Connecting Cultures”. As a result of the selling of the paintings, copy
´s and other merhandainsing we raise funds for refugee´s situation.
But it is not just an art exhibition that raises funds, it delivers a message on “how our
differences that in moments of crisis are seen as an excuse or as a problem are exactly the
opposite. Our differences are a tool, a very powerful tool that puts together lots of collective
intelligence to make the world a better place.
Our goal is not just to raise funds for refugees but also awareness, to create spaces were we
can have other kind of impact and perspectives. Due to this the art exhibition has an adaptable
format; we´ve done solidarity cocktails, workshops with refugees, debates etc. Always looking
for the best way to create impact. We´ve been already in different places of Spain such as
Madrid, Ciudad Real, Segovia, Coruña… and except from Brussels we will officially begin our
international route in October.
This idea on how differences really are a tool it is very important for us, due to this, in this
exhibition we have people from 19 to more that 75 years old, 1 person per country and +25
countries, gender balance, from students to the winner of the florence´s biennal etc.
And as big as the exhibition has become already it could not be possible at all without th help
of so much different people working together for a common goal as to give a bit of help to
refugee´s situation.

8. JUNE 2018
SPEAKERS AT THE DEBATE
ARTS & UNITED NATIONS
REPRESNTATIVES
LINDA DE SOUSA, ARTIST AT CONNECTING CULTURES
INITIATIVE:
.
Bridge between cultures reflects on the contribution that artists can make to improve
intercultural relations. Influencing the issue of refugees from different cultures arriving in
Europe, causing discomfort in some members of the population, who look at them with fear.
Connecting Cultures defends the idea that the artist is the ideal person to help that change,
since each one has a very particular way of expressing himself, that is precisely what is
appreciated by the artist, who is different and is admired for it.
I must admit that for me it meant a lot as an artist and as a human being, to participate in the
event organized by UNSA Spain in the European Parliament, which allowed all of us who
participated in it, artists, intellectuals, parliamentarians, to debate with those present on a Such
a current and important issue, such as the migration of human beings from areas of conflict,
which we call refugees, I liked the fact that they reflected on the role that young people have in
our society, how much they represent for the same, see how this idea of yours, is having a
success in which many did not believe, a project that has involved artists of all ages and of
various nationalities, is getting help to carry their ideals all over the world.
I can only congratulate the MEP Olga Sehnalova who supported these young people who are
so supportive, as well as all the participants in the event.

9. JUNE 2018
SPEAKERS AT THE DEBATE
ARTS & UNITED NATIONS
REPRESNTATIVES
ISABEL PÉREZ DOBARRO: SDSN YOUTH FOCAL POINT AT
UNITED NATIONS NYC
.
It was a great pleasure to be part of the Connecting Cultures Event at the European
Parliament this past June 5. I was delighted to see the project´s great advancements and its
international relevance.
The core of this extraordinary initiative is the coalition between the arts and sustainable
development in the implementation of the SDG 17. In this sense, Connecting Cultures is an
excellent example of the possibilities of collaboration between artists from different
backgrounds towards common values. This cooperation highlights the relevant role that arts
can play in promoting inclusivity, developing peaceful relations between different cultures and
building bridges of understanding.
In my speech I argued that young people are fundamental actors in the 2030 Agenda and the
SDG implementation. Considering that Connecting Cultures includes some brilliant young
artists and based on my own experience, I emphasized the role of young people as not only
future leaders but present changemakers too. I briefly listed the characteristics that I found
essential in achieving young people´s full development within their community and their real
possibilities to actively contribute to the SDG implementation. I related all these concepts to
the work that I develop at my organization, SDSN-Youth, of which Connecting Cultures is part
of its artistic program Arts Twenty Thirty.
Finally, I described the role of the arts both as a means to raise awareness on the 2030
Agenda and as a way to effectively implement it through specific programs to fight against
social exclusion, violence, poverty, and inequality. I also highlighted the relationship between
the arts and innovation, as well as the empowerment and leadership skills that the arts can
foster.
All these characteristics are part of the Connecting Cultures Exhibition. It is an honor to
support such an important project both in the artistic and the SDG implementation fields.

10. JUNE 2018
CONCLUSIONS BY THE CHAIR
CONCLUSIONS
The common word that we all used during the conference is “together” and I believe this is
because we all know that we can have a real impact on society only if we work “all together to
solve the problems” - as Ms Corzo Alvarez said.
However, “Only with a change of ourselves there is a change in society”, as Ms de Sousa affirmed,
and she is so right: different people want to deliver an impact because they face the problem, they
try to understand it, they change during this process and they finally work to have a positive impact
on the whole society.
This is so deeply connected with something that Ms Sehnalová MEP said at the beginning,
something that is simple but is one of the bases of our thoughts: “Who knows, cares”.
Ms Corzo Alvarez also showed another key-factor, that is “our differences”, which are a tool for
positive change.

11. JUNE 2018
CONCLUSIONS BY THE CHAIR
An intergenerational approach is as well considered important by Ms
Perez Dobarro, as young people are an important asset and can play a
very significant role in the society. In this situation, art can be an
inspiration to connect.
Ms Querton confirmed that art can be a considerable tool that can create
bridges between cultures, because it connects ourselves both with ours
and other cultures.
In this way art is a language that unifies, as Mr Alseefo said, and I
believe his life confirms it.
Carlo Peano
CONCLUSIONS

12. LISTEN TO ALL THE DEBATE AND CONTACT US AT:
JUNE 2018
WWW.CONNECTINGCULTURES.ES
WWW.UNSASPAIN.ORG
AUDIO OF THE DEBATE:
HTTP://UNSASPAIN.ORG/ANNOUNCE
MENT/CONNECTING-CULTURES/
FACEBOOK:
HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CONN
ECTINGCULTURESEXHIBITION/
LINKEDIN:
HTTPS://WWW.LINKEDIN.COM/COMP
ANY/CONNECTING-CULTURES-
EXHIBITION/
INSTAGRAM:
HTTPS://WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CON
NECTING.CULTURES/