“Cultural Development: What’s in it for Us? Financing the Cultural Sector in Europe’s Neighborhood: Case-Study on Dutch International Cultural Policy 2017-2020 in Egypt”

Abstract

This master’s thesis investigates whether culture can foster societal impact and to what extent cultural development can be stimulated from abroad. Taking the Dutch International Cultural Policy objective II – that aims at implementing culture as a means of societal development in, amongst others, Egypt – as the point of departure, it is also questioned whether an international cultural relation between a European and a Third World country can be truly reciprocal, considering it would be a collaboration instead of an aid or development relation. Data for this research is collected both by close reading the Dutch International Cultural Policy and its underlying Theory of Change – also embedded in the European framework – as by interviews with Egyptian cultural actors. Together with a literature study based on Escobar (1995), Said (2003), Bhabha (1994) and Fanon (1967), an analysis of the gathered data shows that Dutch-Egyptian cultural collaboration can be valuable, provided that it is implemented righteously. It can be concluded that it is important Egyptian cultural actors have the possibility of self-definition, creating a local cultural sector that reflects Egyptian society instead of international expectations. Therefore, Dutch cultural funding should do justice to geographical and societal stratification, and invest outside the cultural hubs. Also, a very local understanding of societal impact should be taken as a guideline for monitoring the value of Dutch funding, with an emphasis on the role of youth.