Our patron

'I have always believed that a fundamental part in protecting human rights is promoting widespread knowledge of what our rights are and how they can be defended. Artists and cultural industrialists have been integral to this process in all civilizations, standing at the gates and guiding their fellow citizens through the conflicts of power, prejudice and sometimes, self-doubt.

Article 27 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights outlines the right to culture and the freedom of expression for all human beings. Implicit in this article is the call to advance cultural understanding through international cooperation and collaboration. As Article 27 and the UN Declaration approaches its 60th anniversary next year, the need to uphold cultural rights and deepen them through international exchange is essential now more than ever, given our current political environment.

The Delfina Foundation plays an important role in engendering international relations by building links across divided and isolated artistic communities. In doing so, it is strengthening the voices of these communities and supporting artists to usher more of us through the gates of peace, stability and greater understanding.'

Boutros Boutros-Ghali,
Patron of Delfina Foundation
President, Egyptian National Human Rights Council
Former Secretary-General of the United Nation