A/HRC/46/34 which are already in formation due to the ongoing global upheaval.81 Many say that without culture they would not have survived lockdowns. Faced with the grave difficulties of the pandemic, culture sometimes is the solution, and sometimes can help find other solutions, as stated in the 2020 Rome Charter led by Roma Capitale and the Committee on Culture of United Cities and Local Governments. 82 The Charter emphasizes sharing cultures and creativity to strengthen social and democratic life. Safe ways to share and connect are essential now, and culture offers many. 33. With thoughtful, integrated policy, there is no tension between the exercise of cultural rights and the dictates of public health during a crisis. The exercise of cultural rights is critical for public health itself. A World Health Organization (WHO) report underscored the “evidence of the contribution of the arts to the promotion of good health and the prevention of a range of mental and physical health conditions”,83 including with regard to encouraging health-promoting behaviours, enhancing well-being and reducing the impact of trauma. Such contributions are essential during a global health crisis. 34. Unless adequate support is provided to artists, cultural practitioners, cultural rights defenders and cultural institutions and sectors, it will be impossible to fulfil those vital roles going forward. All discussion about the positive aspects of arts and culture for building resilience is utterly dependent on adequate support for these sectors, as otherwise artists and cultural workers will be forced to focus instead on their own survival. 35. This is not the time for cuts in culture funding, but for increases. The Special Rapporteur commends States, such as Germany, 84 that have allocated substantial additional funds. As the Minister of Culture of Germany has explained: “Managing the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic… requires societal solidarity.”85 Such examples should inspire other States to follow suit, subject to their resource constraints. Measures that were reported include programmes to support cultural workers in Ecuador,86 State support of theatres, music and production companies in Bulgaria, 87 the Arts and Culture Resilience Package in Singapore,88 a salary compensation scheme, including for the self-employed, freelancers and seasonal workers, in Denmark, along with a fund to enable vulnerable young people to have access to cultural activities and sports, 89 a specific stimulus scheme in Norway that will contribute to the arts and culture sector with a focus on cultural diversity,90 the suspension of the withholding of tax payments and of payment of social security contributions for the entire cultural sector in Italy,91 emergency grants for arts and cultural professionals in Cyprus, 92 a planned programme to support local booksellers through acquisitions by local libraries in Slovakia,93 and a programme for the Government to purchase contemporary art as a way of supporting artists in Romania.94 36. As not every State has adequate resources for what is needed in the crisis, solidarity must also be extended internationally, through the possible creation of a global culture fund. Work at the regional level is also essential.95 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 See contribution from the State of Palestine. Available at www.2020romecharter.org/charter/. See www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/419081/WHO_Arts_A5.pdf. Germany created an aid scheme worth 50 billion euros in 2020, with further increases in cultural spending to come in 2021. See www.frieze.com/article/can-germanys-cultural-bailout-setgroundwork-21st-century-new-deal and https://news.artnet.com/art-world/germany-culture-budget1910382. Ibid. See contribution from Ecuador. See contribution from Bulgaria. See contribution from Singapore. See contribution from Denmark. See www.kulturradet.no/om-kulturradet/vis-artikkel/-/stimuleringsordningen-skal-bidra-til-aktivitetog-mangfold (in Norwegian). See contribution from Italy. See contribution from Cyprus. See contribution from Slovakia. See contribution from Romania, annex 2. See https://ifacca.org/en/news/2020/12/10/acorns-407-arts-culture-and-human-rights/. 11