The Connecting Cultures exhibition comes out of the combination between arts and youth seeking to create a positive impact on society and looking for solutions to global issues while interacting between different societal and political sectors. We endeavour to be an example on how our differences should not be seen as a challenge, a problem or an excuse, but as a tool and advantage which can empower us to help people in need and make the world a better place for everyone regardless the cultural differences. We strive for connecting people and cultures to find a common ground to better understand each other and cooperate towards brighter and stable future.

What is Connecting Cultures?

Connecting cultures is an international art exhibition promoted by UNSA SPAIN (United Nations Student Association Spain) recently awarded the “Here for Good Award” from Laureate International. Our aim is to raise funds for refugees and enhance awareness about the topic of the immigration in the EU under the umbrella of the Goal 17 “Partnerships for the Goals”. Connecting Cultures groups artists who represent different countries contributing to the art exhibition, namely: Portugal, Greece, Romania, Italy, Taiwan, Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico, Argentina, Sweden, Venezuela, United States, Germany, South Korea, United Kingdom, Russia, Cuba, Colombia, Morocco, Japan, India and Spain. Each painting reflects the spirit of the exhibition, which is to show that there are no borders between humans beyond self-imposed as all cultures´essential needs are to cooperate, shake hands and "connect", offering the best of themselves to the world. The funds raised by the exhibitions are heading to the certified organisation CEAR to directly help refugees.

Individuals, groups and businesses can contribute to our work in three ways: purchase of paintings, purchase of reproductions and direct donations to Connecting Cultures.

What is our aim?

The main goal of Connecting Cultures Initiative is to create a positive impact on society while using art and interaction between different societal and political spheres. Connecting cultures aims to be an example on how our differences should not be seen as a problem, but as a tool and advantage which we can use to make the world a better place. We seek to create a positive impact on society while using art and interaction between different societal and political spheres. We see cultural and people´s differences as a challenge and inspiration how we can get inspired and learn from each other. We see differences as a tool and advantage which empower us and help us to make the world a better place for everyone regardless the origin, skin, gender, age or cultural background.

What we connect?

• More than 20 different countries through their representation per artist and art piece.
• Different sectors: our partners, sponsors and supporters which encompass NGOs, private sector, businesses, universities, student groups, start-ups, public institutions and more.
• Ages with the participation of artists ranging from 20 to 70+ years and supporters from youth organizations to eldery institutions.
• Genders: we put emphasis on gender balance between artists, team and coordination.
• Opportunities to impact: through our flexible art exhibitions and debates we adapt the way we exhibit and discuss to the needs of stakeholders so we are able to create the maximum impact (solidarity cocktails, activities with refugees, institutional debates…)

Connecting Cultures and Sustainable Development Goals

In order to solve the common challenges such as refugees situation and young people deprivation in conflict zones, all the sectors need to cooperate to reach the origins of the problem and look for a common strategy to find solutions to it. Therefore, the focus of our exhibitions and debates is on the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in cooperation with the European Union which is one of its greatest supporter. The Connecting Cultures Initiative is dedicated to the implementation of the particular 17th Sustainable Development Goal “Partnerships for goals” that highlights the importance of partnerships between the governments, private sector and civil society for having a successful development agenda.

The Connecting Cultures is also a part of the ARTS2030 initiative where artists from different backgrounds raise awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals. During the whole process of the exhibitions and debates organised be CCs, we discuss the SDGs and their importance in the sustainable world development.