TippingPoint - Climate Change - Our Programmes in Europe - British Council

ABOUT OUR PARTNERS

European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is a consultative body that gives representatives of Europe's socio-occupational interest groups, and others, a formal platform to express their points of views on EU issues. Its opinions are forwarded to the larger institutions - the Council, the Commission and the European Parliament. It thus has a key role to play in the Union's decision-making process.

European National Institutes of Culture (EUNIC)
EUNIC Brussels is the framework through which EU national cultural institutions, with a permanent presence in Belgium, together with their networks throughout Europe co-operate in the development and execution of uniquely multilateral cultural projects and initiatives. EUNIC Brussels’ activities complement the national role and the cultural programmes of its member institutes. EUNIC Brussels is a project-driven voluntary organization which reflects diversity in all its forms while at the same time recognizing the importance of Europe’s common cultural heritage. It organizes joint actions based on common European interests with the aim of deepening understanding and respect between people. EUNIC Brussels does not represent the interests of any specific cultural sector and its activities include projects in the arts, education, language, civil society among others.

Kaaitheater
The Kaaitheater was established in 1977, originally as a biennial international festival. Since 1987 its work has extended to full seasons; the Kaaitheater presents theater, dance and concerts, with a special emphasis on innovative work and productions/co-productions with national and international artists.

TippingPoint
TippingPoint aims to ‘harness the power of the imagination to help stabilize the climate,’ offering a range of activities centered on exposing creative artists to the enormous challenges of climate change. At the center of their work are a series of meetings involving high quality, intense dialogue between artists, scientists and others close to the heart of the issue.

	TippingPoint


	Energising the creative response to climate change

GLOBAL EXPERTS FROM THE WORLDS OF SCIENCE, POLICY AND THE ARTS TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE IN BRUSSELS

In the aftermath of Climate Change talks in Copenhagen, and in partnership with the European Economic and Social Committee, EUNIC (European Union National Institutes of Culture); the Kaaitheater; and TippingPoint, the British Council brought to Brussels global experts from the worlds of science, policy and the arts to find creative solutions to one of the most urgent issues the world faces today.

The TippingPoint two-day conference took place on 25 and 26 January, just a few days before the deadline for all international parties to deliver their individual CO2 emissions targets towards reaching a global deal in Mexico later this year. It is also a moment for Europe to re-establish its leadership role in tackling Climate Change.

Among the 130 participants were:

			HRH Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, Chair of the European Cultural Foundation
			King Creosote (Kenny Anderson), musician and founder of the Fence Collective
			Nic Balthazar, director and winner of Grand Prix award at the Montréal World Film Festival
			David Cerný, controversial Czech sculptor (“Entropa”)
			Lia Perjovschi, Romanian visual artist
			Prof John Schellnhuber, former advisor to German chancellor Angela Merkel
			Prof Jean-Pascal van Ypersele, Vice-Chair of the IPCC
			Susannah York, British actress

Many hoped that the Copenhagen talks would lead to legally binding co-ordinated international action. That is not the case. The bringing together of highly influential scientists and renowned artists helped to create a unique opportunity to show that culture and science can act together where politicians seem not to be able to find solutions.

“With its global presence, the British Council is uniquely placed to respond to a global challenge like climate change through its work with teachers, media professionals and partners in the creative sector.”
Dr. David Viner, Climate Change Programme Leader, British Council

Past TippingPoints have been held in Oxford, England, Potsdam, Germany and New York, USA. Forthcoming gatherings include Montpellier, France and Cape Town, South Africa.