Norway participates in international cultural co-operation either through bilateral and multilateral agreements or through participation in international organisations and conferences.

Norway has bilateral cultural co-operation with 25 countries in Europe, in addition to Israel, Egypt, India, and China. Under these bilateral programmes there are a number of annual exchanges of artists and exhibitions. A new strategy has been developed for bilateral cultural co-operation with Third World countries. The Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation (NORAD) manages cultural exchanges with these countries.

Multilateral co-operation in the cultural field includes participation in the activities of international organisations such as the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Council of Europe, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The Nordic Council of Ministers constitutes the main framework for Norwegian cultural co-operation with the other Nordic countries. This includes co-operation and co-ordination in a number of fields, as well as the financing of joint Nordic projects and permanent institutions. Nordic cultural co-operation includes regular contacts between Nordic politicians (through the Nordic Council) and civil servants from these countries.

Norway is actively involved in European cultural co-operation within the Council of Europe. This implies participation in the work of different steering committees and sub committees in the field.

High priority is given to Norway's participation in the activities of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). As a member of UNESCO's Executive Board, Norway has played an active part in the educational, scientific and cultural co-operation of the organisation. Norwegian priorities within UNESCO are basic education for all, environmental issues, cultural heritage and cultural identities, as well as the cultural dimension of development. See also Norway National Commission for UNESCO.

Norway also participated in the promotion of the objectives outlined by UNESCO for the Décennie Mondiale du Développement Culturel (1988-1998). On the initiative of Norway and the other Nordic countries, a World Commission on Culture and Development was subsequently established under the joint auspices of UNESCO and the United Nations. Norway has since followed this work closely through the Norwegian Commission for UNESCO.

See also Nordic Cultural Fund.

Revised text from UNESCO http://www.unesco.org/culturelink/culpol/no.html