Published date
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Faye Hobson
Salzburg Global Seminar
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Culture Update

Moving from Me to We Online in Times of COVID-19

Published date
Written by
Faye Hobson
Salzburg Global Seminar
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The Salzburg Global Forum for Young Cultural Innovators moves fully online for 2020 - embracing both the challenges and opportunities of online convening

Communities around the world are facing radical social, environmental, political, and economic disruption, while confronting complex challenges that range from the COVID-19 pandemic to structural inequity and racism, outdated systems of education and work, and climate change.

Shaping a creative, just and sustainable world calls for action at all levels and collaboration across many sectors. We need bold ideas and innovation to build a more vibrant and resilient arts sector that can advance inclusive economic development, positive social change, and urban transformation for livable cities. The cultural sector is essential to regenerate and energize societies, but artists and creative innovators have never been in a more precarious situation. This is especially true of members of the Salzburg Global Forum for Young Cultural Innovators (YCI Forum), many of whom have been severely impacted by lost income as a result of venue closures and cancelled work due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Against this stark background, the 2020 programs and activities of the Salzburg Global Forum for Young Cultural Innovators – from the emergency grants and half-day regional programs in the spring through to the ambitious 10-day program and the follow-on Workshop Week and Hub Huddles in the fall – have all sought to connect, support, empower and inspire this growing global network of emerging creative leaders.

Moving from in-person to online convening presented challenges but in responding to those challenges creatively and innovatively, a great many opportunities were harnessed and successes achieved.

Read all about the YCI Forum in this year's report A Global Platform for Creative, Just and Sustainable Futures:

 

Faye Hobson

Faye Hobson is the director of the Culture Program Pillar at Salzburg Global. These programs explore how culture, in all its forms can bridge diverse perspectives, amplify underrepresented voices, and inspire collective action toward a more equitable and just world. Faye also leads the Place pillar of the DEI Taskforce at Salzburg Global, where she plays a pivotal role in crafting infrastructure and artistic interventions that visualize Salzburg Global's mission and values at Schloss Leopoldskron, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all guests. Her earlier tenure from 2017 to 2021 involved supporting the Education program pillar. Beyond Salzburg Global, Faye contributes to global initiatives as an advisor to The World in 2050 think tank and a steering committee member for Karanga: The Global Alliance for Social and Emotional Learning and Life Skills. She also shares acts as a Guest Lecturer at ISPI (Institute for International Political Studies), sharing her expertise on cultural diplomacy, and acts as a Mentor for the EU's Cultural Relations Platform. Faye completed Executive M.B.A. studies in international business at MCI: The Entrepreneurial School, Austria, in 2024. Her master's thesis examined the influence of social movements on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies and practices in multinational corporations. Her academic background also includes a bachelor's degree in photography from Falmouth University, UK, and a diploma in management practice from the University of Ulster, UK.

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