His analysis and observation are based on his experiences both as a practitioner of cultural policy and as a theorist of cultural studies. He was President of the arts platform called Culture Action Europe in 2004-2008. He was also a senior official at UNESCO, inter alia Secretary of the World Commission on Culture and Development and Director of the International Fund for the Promotion of Culture.

Yudhishthir Raj Isar is Professor of Cultural Policy Studies at The American University of Paris; and currently Eminent Research Visitor at the Institute for Culture and Society at the University of Western Sydney and co-editor of the Cultures and Globalization Series published by SAGE. He is also a consultant to international organizations and foundations and a board member of various cultural institutions.