Thursday, July 2nd
16:30 – 18:00 | Moderated Panel Discussion
Cultural Democracy for Europe
This panel brings together cultural sector representatives and policymakers to reflect on what Cultural Democracy means in today’s Europe and how it relates to current social and political realities. The conversation will explore whether and how Contact Zones can contribute to cultural participation, dialogue across differences, and democratic life in Europe.
Contributors to be announced.
18:00 – 19:00| Evening Reception
Friday, July 3rd
09:00 – 09:30| Arrival, Coffee & Living Archive
Explore stories, methods, and reflections from the trainings through a living exhibition of practices from across Europe.
09:30 – 10:30
Entering the Contact Zone
Through collective reflection, participants will step into the dynamics of the Contact Zones and explore how tension, encounter, and transformation emerge in dialogue.
10:30 – 11:00
From Practice to Proposal: A Roadmap Manifesto
Grounded in experiences from the project, this session introduces a collective vision for how Contact Zones can inform future cultural policy, institutional practice, and public life.
11:00 – 11:15 | Break
11:15 – 11:30
What Does a Contact Zone Training Look Like?
A concise introduction to the TCZ methodology, offering participants insight into the Contact Zone principles, tools, and experiences behind the training approach.
11:30 – 12:30
Learnings from the Field
What happens when a curriculum on dialogue, mediation, and contested narratives and heritage is tested in practice? Trainers from the TCZ trainings share reflections from facilitating the programme across different communities and local realities.
12:30 – 14:00 | Lunch Break
14:00 – 16:00
Where Can Contact Zones Live?
Participants are invited to engage in a collective exploration of how “Contact Zone” approaches might have an impact on different sectors, organizations, and cultural contexts. The session provides a space for exchange, reflection, and collaborative imagination regarding future applications through mediation. The groups will be facilitated by representatives from partner organizations of the TCZ Consortium and representatives from European networks.
Contributors to be announced.
16:00 – 16:30 | Break
16:30 – 17:30
From Practice to Structural Change
What needs to change for Contact Zone practices to become recognized, supported, and embedded more widely? This session connects grassroots experiences with policy, funding, and institutional perspectives.
Contributors to be announced
17:30 – 18:00
From Reflection to Commitment
A moment to harvest insights, capture emerging recommendations, and reflect on possible next steps beyond the gathering.
