Thank you to Minister Talvitie for her opening remarks. I’m honoured to stand alongside my Nordic colleagues and today’s distinguished panel.

In times of crisis, we need more culture—not less. Culture and cultural heritage are sources of resilience. They strengthen our preparedness, our identity, and our freedom. Cultural institutions are our collective memory and custodians of democratic values.

Authoritarian forces know this. That’s why they target artists, journalists, monuments, and museums. Free expression is feared, and cultural heritage is looted and destroyed. In some places, we see systematic attempts to erase entire peoples’ identities. These are not random acts—they are deliberate. Because culture carries memory, meaning, and resistance.

We must respond—and we must respond together.

The Nordic countries have a strong tradition of cooperation. Last year, we signed a joint declaration on cultural preparedness. This year, we continue that work—sharing knowledge, strengthening networks, and building resilience across borders.

In Norway, culture’s role in civil preparedness is highlighted in our recent white paper. We’ve issued national guidelines for risk assessment and train for crisis scenarios. We also combat disinformation by strengthening digital competence and media literacy. Artists and journalists – as well as cultural institutions – play a crucial role.

Internationally, we support efforts through UNESCO, the Hague Convention, the Aschberg Programme, and the Heritage Emergency Fund. We also work to prevent illicit trafficking of cultural objects. Protecting culture is a shared responsibility—and a cornerstone of peacebuilding.

But we must go further. Artistic freedom and freedom of expression are under massive pressure. Artists and journalists face censorship, discrimination, violence—even death. Violations are underreported, especially in conflict zones like Gaza, Afghanistan, Sudan, and Ukraine. These attacks are unacceptable—and dangerous. Artists and cultural institutions are human rights defenders. They need our protection, our attention, and our solidarity.

And dialogue with civil society is essential. As 50 civil society actors recently told me: MONDIACULT must place artistic freedom and heritage protection at the heart of crisis response. Because culture is resilience—and a safeguard against authoritarianism. It’s urgent that we stand up for our core values. 

Dear friends,
Culture and heritage must not be sidelined in crisis planning—they must be at the core. That’s why international cooperation is so important. Together, we can build stronger systems, support each other’s work, and amplify the voices of those most at risk.

I look forward to today’s panel and the insights from artists and cultural workers who know this truth deeply. As Deeyah Khan herself said: “Speech, not violence, is how we will bridge the divides between us.”. Thank you.