A/HRC/37/55 and cultural workers who address people’s needs and for cultural programmes to challenge systemic human rights abuses in the United States of America. 18 30. Cultural and artistic initiatives can also advocate for values of diversity, secularism, inclusion, tolerance, gender equality, human rights and peace through the themes they choose to address. Ajoka Theatre, 19 a company based in Lahore, produces socially meaningful, aesthetically refined and dynamic theatre tackling difficult issues, including gender-based violence, fundamentalism and terrorism, thereby embodying the vision of a more secular, humane and just society in Pakistan. Its membership derives from varied class and social backgrounds, and it maintains close ties to women’s organizations and with international theatre groups such as Theatre Without Borders. Ajoka offers performances in theatres, on the streets and in public spaces that promote critical thinking. In addition, Ajoka offers training and technical workshops, and supports cooperation between theatre groups in India and Pakistan. 31. Another important example is Free Women Writers, a non-profit, non-partisan and all-volunteer women’s rights organization composed of writers, students and activists based in Afghanistan and the diaspora. Its mission is to improve the lives of Afghan women through advocacy, storytelling and education. One example of its work is the publication of “Daughters of Rabia”, a collection of Afghan women’s writings in defence of human rights, which has been distributed in schools, universities, libraries and to people in six provinces in Afghanistan and has reached thousands online. Its books are available in local languages free of cost and for sale in English. The books’ proceeds are used to provide educational opportunities through scholarships, and to increase access to “consciousness-raising literature”.20 32. Governments and intergovernmental entities must provide robust support for the right to take part in cultural life and freedom of expression for these kinds of actions to thrive. This entails accepting that some of these artistic and cultural works will inevitably be critical of the Government and of society, and sometimes of aspects of cultural and religious practices, and requires that Government refrain from trying to control, censor or orient these works. States must also respect and ensure the human rights of the artists and cultural practitioners working in these areas. B. Overcoming fears and prejudices 33. Actions in the field of culture can mediate against fears that exist between people along various lines of division, create spaces where people may be able to go beyond the stereotypes they have of each other, and facilitate the expression of thoughts and feelings in a non-threatening manner. 34. Featuring what unites different people despite their diversity is an important contribution that art and cultural initiatives can bring to a variety of contexts. For example, Caravan, an international intercultural and interreligious peacebuilding arts organization, creates opportunities for people to come together to develop, organize, curate and host exhibitions, festivals, lectures, concerts, exchanges and collaborations. One of their projects, “THE BRIDGE”, is a travelling exhibition showcasing the work of 47 premier Arab, Persian and Jewish contemporary artists from 15 countries, featuring works that explore the theme of what they hold in common across their creeds and cultures and what therefore “bridges” them together. It was exhibited in venues across Europe, Egypt and the United States.21 35. Another example is the Barenboim-Said Foundation, established in 2003 by the late Palestinian intellectual Edward Said and Israeli-Argentine pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim. The Foundation aims to make classical music education accessible to 18 19 20 21 8 See https://usdac.us/platform. See www.ajoka.org.pk. See Freewomenwriters.org. See www.oncaravan.org.