EU and Netherlands organize art exhibition with a focus on corporate social responsibility and labour rights

Dutch photographer Pieter van den Boogert featured at the opening night in Beijing

The Delegation of the European Union and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to China opened today in Beijing the second exhibition of an EU-funded series under the theme of "Arts and Human Rights in China and the EU". The opening event was attended by the Dutch Ambassador to China, Ron Keller, the Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the EU Delegation, Ms. Carmen Cano de Lasala, as well as European and Chinese artists, diplomats and cultural stakeholders.

The photographic exhibition, entitled What We Wear - Rights and Responsibilities, focuses on the importance of promoting labour rights and corporate social responsibility and is highlighted by the works of Dutch photographer Pieter van den Boogert. It is also part of the cultural programme of the Presidency of the Netherlands of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2016, the Dutch Days Beijing 2016 edition and the celebrations around Europe Day 2016.

Ambassador Keller said the following about the event: "Culture can be a way to bridge gaps that are left where politics and economics may fall short. The exhibition of Pieter van den Boogert shows that there is still a long way to go in achieving a market where companies operate with a view to the future and with respect of fair working conditions. This is why the Netherlands is committed to improving CSR and business and human rights worldwide, both through its economic policy and through its human rights policy."

In speaking about the event, Chargé d'Affaires Cano said: "Cultural exhibitions, even those which highlight difficulties in our societies, have played an important role in bringing about change and in shaping progress in Europe and around the world. This is especially true with regard to photographs, which hold a mirror to our reality and help us to reflect on the way we treat each other, our environment and the world around us".

The exhibition, curated by Cui Qiao from the Beijing Culture and Art Centre (BCAC) will be on view at the BCAC from 11 May – 11 June, 2016. Alongside the photographic works of Pieter van den Boogert, sustainable innovations from China in fashion and textile will be presented, namely the works of Summerwood and the Dulong Blanket project.

The series is financed under the European Union's Partnership Instrument in collaboration with a number of EU member states' embassies. Three more art exhibitions will be organized throughout 2016 featuring European and Chinese artists linked to discussions with a focus on human rights.

For more information:

• EU Delegation to China
• EU and human rights
• Dutch days in China 2016