Cultural Affairs: Definition

Cultural affairs are all the elements of culture in motion: our habits and customs; the ideas and beliefs we hold in common; the behaviors through which we relate to each other; the lenses through which we see and understand ourselves, others, and our world; the patterns we follow as we go about our lives; the essence of what defines and binds us. These shared understandings, meanings, and behavior patterns enable peoples to coexist as a group, convey identity and significance, and determine the form and nature of collective actions.

The Institute of Cultural Affairs International undertakes programs, together with our member organizations, that advance our mission. We focus on the world’s fundamental human challenges, carrying out activities in two principal arenas:

1: Participating in international policy dialogues to share lessons from our field programs and contribute to the creation and implementation of improved development policies consistent with our values and approach; and

2: Coordination and support of field programs of member organizations to address these challenges on the ground.

The Institute of Cultural Affairs International also organizes the quadrennial Global Conference on Human Development, a unique opportunity for leading practitioners and researchers to explore and develop new solutions to global human development challenges.

Objectives

The strategic objectives of The Institute of Cultural Affairs International are to:

•Facilitate the sharing of our experiences, values, and lessons at the global level, in order to influence international development policy;

•Develop and facilitate global partnerships to address human development challenges;

•Coordinate programs and initiatives involving multiple member ICA organizations for global impact; and

•Support member ICAs through training and capacity building initiatives and facilitate regular networking and interchange among member ICAs.

History

2006 General Assembly approves Executive Committee recommendation to relocate ICAI Secretariat to Montreal, Canada 

2004 ICA Guatemala hosts International Conference "Weaving the Social Fabric" in Antigua, Guatemala 

2004 Lambert Okrah, former Executive Director of ICA Ghana, appointed Secretary General 

2002 ICA Zimbabwe established
 
2001 ICA South Africa established
 
2001 Tajikistan (ICA EHIO) established
 
2000 ICA USA hosts the International Conference, "The Millennium Connection" in Denver.
 
1998 ICA Ghana, ICA Nepal, ICA Tanzania, ICA Uganda, established

1996 ICA Cote d''''''''Ivoire, established

1996 ICA International Conference on The Rise of Civil Society in the 21st Century in Cairo, Egypt.
     Publication of ICA’s first CD-ROM version of its archival resources and research.

1995 First International ToP® Training of Trainers program for thirteen countries held in the U.S.A.
     Technology of Participation (ToP) registered as ICA trademark.
 
1994 ICA office in Croatia opens with focus on democracy-building programs.
     ICA International Conference in India.

1993 ICA starts a National Partnership program to develop the Field of Community Youth Development. 
         USA/Mexico Border Neighborhoods Programs begin.

1985-93 ICA publishes books on successful rural development, facilitation methods and case studies of business transformation and effective local government.
 

1992 ICA USA launches a partnership program with the Council of Energy Resource Tribes and the Arizona Leadership Academy. 
         ICA International Conference in Czechoslovakia.

1991 ToP Trainers Network formed.
 
1990 ICA International Conference in Taiwan.
 
1989 Spanish language and Native American programs begin in the U.S.A.

1988 ICA International Conference on Our Common Future held in Mexico.
         Earthwise Learning Series begins.

1984-88 ICA reorganizes globally into autonomous national operations, four international networks and salaried staff.
 
1986 Technology of Participation (ToP) Training Program series begins in USA. 
         ICA International Conference held in Spain.

1982-85 ICA and United Nations organizations co-sponsor Fifty-five nation International Exposition of Rural Development, with a Plenary Conference held in India in 1984.
 

1985 Food For All Partnership begins in the U.S.A.
         Global Internet connections and electronic conferences are initiated.

1984 ICA-Nigeria (NIRADO) established

1980 BiH (ICA BOSPO), established

1980 ICA Spain, established 

1979 ICA Peru, established

1978 ICA Guatemala established
 
1978 ICA Zambia, established

1978 ICA Chile, established 

1976-77 ICA holds over 5,000 Town Meetings, 76 local community planning forums as part of the USA Bicentennial Celebration, with at least one in every county of the United States.

1977 ICA Belguim, established 

1977 ICA Malaysia (LENS International), established
 
1977 ICA International formed in Belgium and Secretariat established.

1977 ICA Netherlands, established
 
1976 Egypt (ICA MENA), established
 
1976 First Village Development Replication Plan initiated in India, followed by other nations.
         Eight-week Human Development Training Institutes begin around the world.

1976 ICA-UK established
 
1975 ICA launches 24 Human Development Projects, one in each global time zone.

1975 ICA Kenya, established 

1973 ICA USA, established
 
1973 ICA incorporates as separate entity from the Ecumenical Institute.

1972 Strategic Planning seminars for the business community are held in the U.S. and around the world.
 
1972 ICA Taiwan, established
 
1971 First of a series of annual Global Research Assemblies begins.
 
1970 ICA Japan, established 

1970 ICA Canada, established
 
1969 First International Training Institute is held in Singapore.
         ICA opens its first international and national offices outside Chicago, IL.

1968 ICA UK, established
 
1968 ICA Australia, established
 
1968 ICA Venezuela, established
 
1968 The Institute''''''''s intensive 13-week training program, The Academy, begins in Chicago.
         First Rite of Passage program held for children of Institute staff.

1963 The first community development project, Fifth City, begins locally in the neighborhood surrounding the Ecumenical Institute.
 
1962 The Ecumenical Institute, the founding organization of ICA, establishes operations in Chicago''''''''s West Side.