Recognising cultural diversity as a fundamental vehicle for socio-economic development, the Spanish government has elaborated a Co-operation Master Plan (2005-2008) which focuses on key issues such as the need to strengthen and promote cultural industries as well as to raise awareness about intellectual property rights for cultural actors.  The Master Plan seeks not only to foster the inextricable link between culture and development on a governmental level but also to stimulate participation from civil society. 

Given that the objectives of the Spanish Agency for International Co-operation are aligned with those of the Global Alliance, a fruitful collaboration has been established for a period of three years.

Projects financed by AECI

In addition to supporting the overall co-ordination of the Global Alliance, the AECI funds the following partnership projects to be carried out under the framework of the Alliance:

Phase 1 (October 2005-2006):

• Developing quality pan-Arabian television programming for children*
• Book policy in Senegal, Gambia and Guinea*
• Strengthening copyright and related rights in Namibia*
• Asia-Pacific creative communities: promoting cultural industries for local economic development*
• Digital short film competition in Jordan
• Mediterranean heritage and contemporary creativity*
• Training of African Sound Engineers

* The projects marked with an asterisk will also be funded in the second phase.

Phase 2 (October 2006-October 2007):

• Creating centres of professional excellence in the field of music in Africa
• Training for trainers in copyright, neighbouring rights and the fight against piracy in East Africa
• Development of cultural information network, AFRICINFO
• Fostering local endeavour through the Cities of Music in the Global Alliance Creative Cities Network

Further reading: Link to the Spanish Co-operation Master Plan 2005-8 (PDF)

For individual project descriptions, please consult the 'Projects' section of our website on the left-hand side of this page.