Examples of inter-ministerial cooperation are related to issues of foreign cultural policy (see chapter 1.2.2), cultural diversity (2.5) and intercultural dialogue (2.5.1), architectural policies (2.9), the creative industries (3.5.1) and cultural tourism (3.5.6).
To secure the framework conditions of artistic work, there was a phase (2009-2012) of close cooperation between: the Arts and Culture Ministry; the Ministries of Labour, Family and Youth, Health, Foreign Affairs and Women’s Affairs; representatives of the art scene; interest-groups (IGs); trade union and social-partnership representatives; and Inter-ministerial working groups (IMAGs). They have been working on the issues of social security, employment law, unemployment insurance law, social security, women in the arts, support for the arts, copyright and taxation measures and mobility in order to improve the social situation of artists (see chapter 2.3).
Several ministries are involved in implementing and monitoring the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. They work together with other experts and representatives of the Länder and the civil society in the ARGE kulturelle Vielfalt, a working group established within the Austrian UNESCO commission to facilitate the exchange of information and opinion on the convention as well as consulting on the focal points and priorities of its implementation (see chapter 1.4.2).
Annual intergovernmental information meetings (Landeskulturreferentenkonferenz) are held between the nine Bundesländer and the federal government, where important cultural projects or events are discussed. On request, informal inter-ministerial meetings are organised between the various ministries and administrators.
Vienna and the provincial capitals, practically all cities and towns with more than 10 000 inhabitants, are members of the Austrian Association of Cities and Towns. Cultural agendas are dealt with by the association’s cultural committee. The Association of Austrian Municipalities, which represents the smaller towns, the Association of Austrian Cities is also partner for the government at national and provincial level.
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