The National College of Arts has long been a national asset of Pakistan, as the first and only public sector institution of higher education dedicated to the arts and culture in the country. The College has been both a repository of our collective cultural heritage and a primary driver for evolving that heritage to meet new demands.

Of late, the arts have been recognised globally as more than a private domain of expression, whether in the traditional media or in architecture or new media. Rather, recent events have underscored the fact that culture is a space where our national identities are constituted and contested, in the light of ever-evolving and significant challenges that are posed to society.

It is thus of great satisfaction to me that the unique Department of Communication & Cultural Studies at NCA is building upon its expertise and capacity in the theorisation of culture to address one of the defining questions of our time. Pakistan stands at a critical juncture in its history, as a newly elected government prepares to take office and strengthen democracy. This time offers a good opportunity to reinforce the foundations of democratic culture – openness, tolerance and peace – and guard against any threats from vested interests. These threats to democracy have economic, political, and global aspects, to be sure, but are being played out largely in the domain of culture. At this stage we, as a nation, have an opening to emphasise our collective identity as peaceful, moderate and enlightened human beings to address these cultural challenges to democracy. To do so, we must understand the challenges more fully and rigorously, must evolve spaces of discourse and dialogue to affirm our democratic norms, and thereby support the national structures of democracy in their ability to bring peace and understanding. Above all, we must sensitise our youth to these issues, and seek their involvement in building a tolerant, democratic culture for the future of Pakistan.

This project seeks to make a beginning on these lines, and it is most fitting that it be housed at NCA. I am grateful to the Heinrich Böll Foundation for supporting this project, and encourage you to explore this website and contribute to the project by contacting the project team.

Dr. Shamsh Kassim-Lakha H.I., S.I.
Minister of Education, Government of Pakistan
Chair, Board of Governors, National College of Arts

© National College of Arts, 2008