Have you been wondering how heterogeneous and multicultural is our Cluster here in the Netherlands? Did you know that our scope, projects and inputs fall way beyond the borders of the EU? Keep reading the new EUNIC – Interview of the month and learn more about our Dicle Gülşahin and her role in EUNIC Netherlands 🇳🇱🇪🇺
Dicle is not only one of the youngest members of our team, but she is also our newest recruit. Her educational background in public administration combined with arts and cultural management both in Turkey and Italy is a great added value to our group, and to her team in DutchCulture.
1) What role do you play in your institute/embassy?
DutchCulture is a knowledge and network organization for international cultural cooperation. My role as a mobility officer is providing the right information for artistic mobility. I am specifically responsible for the online content of TransArtists, the largest artist residencies database hosted by DutchCulture. I provide and manage data about artist residencies in many forms, including compiling the funded opportunities available in the Netherlands for the latest edition of the Dutch Cultural Mobility Funding Guide. In May 2021, I was appointed as the Secretary of EUNIC Netherlands, for which DutchCulture is the Dutch representative handling the secretariat of the cluster.
2) How do you contribute to EUNIC?
Being in the Secretary of the cluster, I am responsible for administrative tasks. I follow up the financial transactions together with the finances department, and I am responsible for the archive. This enables me to understand the overall goal and stance of EUNIC, and to appreciate the value of each project conducted with a collective effort.
3) What is the best aspect about being a EUNIC Netherlands’ member?
As an outsider of the European scope originally, I celebrate the connectedness and togetherness of the European cultures more than ever by being a part of this exceptional cluster. I believe that every project taking place within EUNIC Netherlands perfectly portrays the contemporary issues and needs of the European society from a local perspective. Each project team has a deep enthusiasm over their work, knowing that the end result will contribute to the future of Europe, guiding the next generations. The cluster also functions as a platform to discuss, reflect, and act upon the cultural context at a diplomatic level, which is an exceptional learning opportunity for a young professional who would like to gain expertise in cultural diplomacy.
Thank you, Dicle Gülşahin, for sharing your experience joining the Dutch cluster of EUNIC.
