On April 11, 2025, the Political Observatory presented the Cultural Policy Laboratory: Between Lusophony and Francophonie: Culture in Action. It was an initiative of the Political Observatory in partnership with the University of Ottawa, with the support of the Diplomatic Institute (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

09h30 | ABERTURA | OUVERTURE (OPENING SESSION)

The session began with a presentation by Dr. Margarida Lages, Head of the Archive and Library Division at the Diplomatic Institute. This presentation explored, in general, the role of archiving and, in particular, the Diplomatic Institute (at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) in preserving memory.

Next, the Director of the Political Observatory, Professor Cristina Montalvão Sarmento, gave a brief presentation on regional trends in cultural policies, including topics such as cultural homogenization and the challenges brought about by climate change.

10h00 | SESSÃO DE HONRA | SESSION D’HONNEUR (SESSION OF HONOR)

The Session of Honors was led by the Ambassador of Canada in Portugal, Élise Racicot. In her message, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of cultural ties between Lusophony and Canada, with special emphasis on the relations between Quebec and Montreal for Portugal.

10h20 | CONFERÊNCIA | CONFÉRENCE (CONFERENCE)

The proceedings began with a presentation by Professor Jonathan Paquette, Chaire de recherche en francophonie internationale sur les politiques du patrimoine culturelle, from the University of Ottawa (Canada), focusing on cultural policies and Francophonie.

11h30 | LABORATÓRIO 1 | LABORATOIRE 1 + DEBATE | DÉBAT (LAB 1 + DEBATE)

Lab 1 featured a contribution from Professor Cristina Robalo-Cordeiro (University of Coimbra) entitled: Francophonie et Lusophonie: une fausse symétrie? (Francophony and Lusophony: a false symmetry?)

Professor Carlos Vargas (NOVA FCSH) gave a presentation on fashion, architecture and the Paris 2025 Summer Olympics, under the title: Pont des Arts. La portée des politiques culturelles en période de disruption. (Pont des Arts. The scope of cultural policies in times of disruption.)

14h30 | LABORATÓRIO 2 | LABORATOIRE 2 + DEBATE | DÉBAT (LAB 2 + DEBATE)

In the afternoon, after a lunch break, work resumed with Lab 2. Professor Manuel Célio Conceição (University of Algarve) opened the discussion with his contribution: Politiques linguistiques et préservation du patrimoine culturel. (Language policies and preservation of cultural heritage)

Next, Manuela Oliveira (ISCAP-P.PORTO) focused on discussing the role of museums, in her paper entitled: Révéler le patrimoine acadien: musées comme industries culturelles dans l’espace francophone.

Finally, Frederico Martins (NOVA FCSH) closed the Lab with a presentation “The Pantheon and the Great Men. A comparative analysis”, on the Great Men and the Pantheons (in France and in Portuguese).

16h00 | COMENTÁRIO | COMMENTAIRE (COMMENTARY)

The debate between the audience and the various speakers peaked at this point, with a fluid conversation about the different themes and their connection to current political events.

17h00 | SESSÃO DE ENCERRAMENTO | CLÔTURE (CLOSING SESSION)

Finally, the Closing Session was led by Ambassador Ana Paula Zacarias, Director of the Diplomatic Institute.

For more information, see the informational document for the Cultural Policy Laboratory “Between Lusophony and Francophony: Culture in Action” (only available in Portuguese and French)

The Political Observatory thanks everyone who attended and contributed to the success of the Cultural Policy Laboratory: Between Lusophony and Francophonie: Culture in Action.