From 16 to 18 September 2026, the BONN SUMMIT – European Forum on Culture and Politics will take place for the first time at the Bundeskunsthalle Bonn. This new forum brings together stakeholders from the fields of art, culture, politics, academia, and civil society to discuss the cultural foundations of open and democratic societies. The focus will be on current geopolitical developments, the role of cultural institutions, and the question of how international cooperation and shared values can be strengthened.

At the BONN SUMMIT, we will be part of the panel discussion “International Cooperation in Times of Geopolitical Tensions", held on 18 September. Together with Christina Beinhoff (German Federal Foreign Office), Gregory Houston (International Arts and Artists), Mikaël Mohamed (MUCEM), Gabriela Moulin (Instituto Tomie Ohtake), and Sascha Priewe (North American Cultural Diplomacy Initiative & Aga Khan Museum), we will explore the role of cultural institutions in an environment increasingly shaped by political and societal tensions.

At the heart of the discussion is the question of how international cultural cooperation can be shaped and strengthened in times of geopolitical tensions without compromising its commitment to openness and dialogue. What responsibilites do cultural institutions have in an increasingly polarised environment? And how can cross-border partnerships help strengthen mutual understanding, exchange, and social cohesion across Europe and around the world?

We look forward to contributing to this important debate and engaging with partners from across Europe and beyond on the future of international cooperation.

More information on the BONN SUMMIT and its programme:
https://www.bundeskunsthalle.de/en/bonn-summit

We are funding “BONN SUMMIT” as a pilot project within our programme "Engage in dialogues". The programme strengthens professional exchange between museum practitioners to advance cross-border cooperation.