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Culture and Social Innovation : Tokyo Conference 2013

“Culture and Social Innovation: Tokyo Conference 2013” will look at economics, which is a major force in shaping societies. Recent worldwide developments include the rise of the concept of Creative Cities, which aim to enhance the attractions of locales through strategic cultural policies, and projects to re-vitalize regions through arts and culture. The concept of Creative Industries harnesses creativity and intellectual capital across a wide swathe of industries in order to stimulate economic activity. These are examples of how we have become familiar with discussions relating to the economic aspect of culture, and its contributions to tourism and industry – in other words, “Culture seen from economic perspectives”.

This year, the conference will take the alternative position of looking at economics from cultural perspectives. Globalization has proceeded to the point where it is no longer possible for our lives and societies to remain dissociated from the global economy. This conference will be an open forum that will set the scene for culture and the arts to engage proactively with issues such as the shape and visions of our economies, to exchange views in an international network, and to seek a new understanding of economics based on the ideas and examples of people from diverse backgrounds.

Speakers Profile

Joseph Vogl
2013_N_Joseph Vogl
[Professor, Humboldt University of Berlin, Permanent Visiting Professor, Princeton University]

Born in 1957. After graduating from the Faculty of Philosophy at LMU Munich, completed the doctoral program at the LMU graduate school. Doctor of Philosophy. Professor for the Theory and History of Artificial Worlds at the Bauhaus University, Weimar, prior to taking his current post in 2006.
Areas of expertise and research are contemporary German literature, literature and culture, media, history and theory of knowledge, history of danger and risk in modern times, discourse theory, media theory, and history of literature from the 18th to the 20th century. “Das Gespenst des Kapitals” (“The Spectre of Capital” 2010) won widespread acclaim and interest. Also known for his translations of contemporary French philosophers such as Gilles Deleuze and Jean-François Lyotard.

Katsuhito Iwai
2013_N_Katsuhito Iwai
[Visiting Professor, International Christian University,Tokyo; Distinguished Fellow, Tokyo Foundation; Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo]

Born in 1947. After graduating from the Faculty of Economics at University of Tokyo, received his Ph.D. in Economics at MIT. Prior to taking his current posts, has served among others, in posts such as Assistant Professor of Economics, Yale University; Senior Research Associate, Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University; Visiting Associate Professor at Princeton University; Visiting Professor at University of Pennsylvania; Professor at Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo, and Member of the Science Council of Japan. Publications include “Disequilibrium Dynamics”, “Venice no Shōnin no Shihonron” (“Capitalism According to the Merchant of Venice”),”Kaheiron” (“Ontology of Money”),”21 Seiki no Shihonronshugiron” (“On the 21st Century Capitalism”), “Kaisha wa Korekara Dounarunoka?” (“What Will Become of the Corporation?”), “Shihonshugi kara Shiminshugi he” (“From Capitalism to Civil Society”). Awards include the Gran Prix, Nikkei Economic Books Award, the Kobayashi Hideo Award, the Suntory Academic Award, and the M&A Forum Prize. Recipient of the Purple Ribbon Medal from the Japanese Government, and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Belgrade.

Pascal Brunet
2013_N_Pascal Brunet
[Director, Relais Culture Europe]

Director of Relais Culture Europe, which supports European cultural operators and is financed by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication, the European Commission, and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Community programmes, cultural policies, and grant programs are a particularly important component of the information that Relais Culture Europe disseminates, and they provide support in strategization and project creation. Prior posts include executive director of the Centre chorégraphique de Rennes et de Bretagne, co-director of Isadora (a project of choreographic development) and secretary general of the Groupe de musique expérimentale de Bourges. Involved for several years in European and international cultural cooperation, he is a founder member of DBM, the Euro–Mediterranean cooperation network.

Felencia Hutabarat
2013_N_Felencia Hutabarat
[Consultant for Creative Economy]

Born in Jakarta, 1978. Previously Hivos Regional South East Asia Program Officer for the Arts and Culture sector until 2011, and was involved in national and international network building, knowledge exchange, financial sustainability, tax deduction, cultural diversity issues, creative economy and other aspects of cultural policy advocacy. Was particularly successful in creating a close relationship between strategic cultural organizations in Indonesia, India, and South Africa. From 2012 to 2013, studied Cultural Economics and Cultural Entrepreneurship at the Master’s Programme of Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands. Currently Consultant for creative economy for the British Council in Jakarta.

Kazuhiko Yazaki
2013_N_Kazuhiko Yazaki
[President and CEO, Felissimo Corporation]

Born in Osaka, 1955. Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, Gakushuin University, and the School of Business Administration, Kobe University. Joined Hi-sense Corporation, now known as Felissimo, in 1978, appointed President and CEO in 1987. “Happiness in harmony with others” is the philosophy that continues to underpin Felissimo’s involvement in direct marketing and foundation activities. From 1995, the company has been co-organizer of the Design 21 Project with the UNESCO Headquarters. Is particularly interested in the concept of Corporate・Style・Design business management which aims to merge profitability, originality, and social relevance. Previously served in posts such as Chairman of Kobe Association of Corporate Executives, member of the board of Kobe City’s Design Advisory, and Executive Advisor of Social Business Networks. Recipient of the Mainichi Newspaper Keizaijin Award in 2010.

Jun’ya Yamaide
2013_N_Jun'ya Yamaide
[Executive Director, NPO”BEPPU PROJECT”, Artist]
Born in Oita, 1970. After participating in the International Studio Program at PS1 (2000 – 2001, New York), resided in Paris as an external scholar of the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs (2002 – 2004). Has been shown at many exhibitions including the 2001 “Taipei Biennial” at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, “Gift of Hope” at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, and “Exposition Collective” at Palais de Tokyo in Paris. Launched BEPPU PROJECT in Beppu, Oita Prefecture in 2005, aiming to create an international art event that would be made possible through alliances between local communities and diverse organizations. General Producer of the “Mixed Bathing World” Contemporary Art Festival (2009 & 2012), and General Director of the “Kunisaki Art Project” (2012, 2013). Recipient of the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists (Arts Promotion Category) in 2008.

Taneo Kato, Chair
2013_N_Taneo Kato
[Executive Advisor
Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture]

Since being appointed Section Director of the Asahi Breweries Ltd. Corporate Cultural Activities Department in 1990, has been involved in all of the company’s cultural activities, and has continued to be a leader in wide-ranging corporate support for the arts. Director for Association for Corporate Support for the Arts from 2010, Executive Director since 2012. Advisor, board member and member of the board for many NPOs, charitable organizations, corporations, and government organizations. Chair, Council Board of Arts Council Tokyo. Recipient of the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Art Encouragement Prize (Arts Promotion Category) in 2008.

Organizers:
Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Tokyo Culture Creation Project Office (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)
Association for Corporate Support of the Arts
Special Cooperation: Japan Foundation, Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)
Cooperation: British Council

Tomin Hall, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building