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Powerful demonstration of collective action 

The event Artistic Freedom: The Road Ahead took place in the margins of the 18^th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and featured a panel discussion and a musical performance. Speakers from all corners of the world sent a clear, shared message: protecting artistic freedom is more urgent than ever.

As part of the broader cultural policy discussions surrounding the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005), the event reinforced the international commitment to protecting artistic freedom, by bringing together international organizations, government delegations, and civil society. 

The panel discussion gathered civil society leaders at the forefront of defending artistic freedom in an increasingly volatile world. The conversation painted a picture of the growing threats artists face—where censorship is compounded by non-state actors weaponizing social and cultural spaces to silence creative voices.

Abdullah Alkafri, Executive Director of Ettijahat–Independent Culture, shared his experience supporting artists in Syria and in countries in Southwest Asia and North Africa. He emphasized the need for multi-layered protection systems, including safe relocation programmes, legal assistance, and psycho-social support, to ensure artists in exile can continue their creative missions.

Kathy Rowland, Co-Founder and Head of Research at ArtsEquator, explored the changing nature of censorship in Southeast Asia. She pointed out the emergence of more subtle methods for suppressing artistic expression, which make it harder to hold the perpetrators accountable. She also highlighted the increasing role of certain civil society groups, religious organizations, and online movements in limiting artistic freedom—often leveraging social media as a highly effective tool for silencing dissenting voices.

Bringing a legal perspective, Andra Matei, Founding Director of Avant-Garde Lawyers, addressed the complexities of using international law to defend artists’ rights. She noted that the existing legal frameworks are often difficult for artists to leverage. Matei emphasized the importance oftraining for both legal professionals and artists to better navigate and leverage legal protections. 

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Artistic Freedom and Creativity, Deeyah Khan, delivered a video message calling on “anyone in a position to support artistic freedom to do so—locally, globally—to understand the profound dignity, humanity, and urgency of safeguarding, promoting, and supporting artistic freedom.” A celebrated filmmaker, Khan has long led efforts to defend artists facing repression through her documentary films and as an activist.

The event featured an artistic performance and testimonial by singer Ghawgha, accompanied by musicians Anja Lauvdal and Marianna Sangita Røe. Through five musical pieces, they took the audience on an emotional journey—from darkness to hope—echoing the transformative power of art.

Ghawgha, an artist from Afghanistan currently in a residency with the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) in Norway, shared her journey, leaving us a note of resilience.

Thanking Ghawgha for her powerful performance, Ernesto Ottone R., UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture, emphasized the importance of collective action:

For years, Norway and Sweden have supported UNESCO to advance artistic freedom. Norway, through the UNESCO-Aschberg Programme for Artists and Cultural Professionals, and Sweden, through the ReIShaping Policies for Creativity and Artistic Freedom initiative, have helped drive policies that uphold artists’ rights, promote gender equality and enhance civic engagement in the creative sector worldwide.