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.

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.
 

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.

Values

The core values of The Institute of Cultural Affairs International motivate and define every aspect of our approach, mission, structure, and programs. We value:

• Accountability. Responsibility and answerability for that to which we have committed.
• Collaboration. Working together with like-minded partners to expand impact and share responsibility.
• Communication. Open and direct sharing of experiences and information.
• Comprehensiveness. Working with the whole system in any situation.
• Consensus. Decisions made jointly, based upon collective wisdom.
• Diversity. Respect for all peoples, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, color, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
• Equality. Equal treatment and equal opportunity for all peoples, in all situations.
• Excellence. Utilizing our abilities and resources for optimum results.
• Global Perspective. An international, multi-cultural context for decision-making and action.
• Inherent human capacity. The innate ability and responsibility of every person to play a unique and vital role in human history.
• Integrity. The consistency between what we say, do, and believe in all situations.
• Intentionality. Making conscious choices and decisions, and placing emphasis where it will make the greatest difference.
• Interconnectivity. The inherent interconnectedness and interdependency of all living things on Earth.
• Justice. Fairness, balance, and ethically-grounded solutions.
• Lifelong Learning. Persistently ask questions and pursue new knowledge and perspectives, recognizing the gifts of all generations.
• Participation. The right of all peoples to function as protagonists of their lives, by playing a meaningful, effective role in the definition and shaping of their future.
• Servant Leadership. Choosing to serve first, and then lead, as a way of expanding and deepening service and enabling others to do the same.
• Sustainability. Solutions, structures, and resources that will last over time.
• Transparency. Full, accurate, and timely disclosure of all information that affects others.