In November 2007 the European ministers of Culture (Culture Council) agreed on "European Agenda for Cutlure" based on the Communication which was published by the European Commission in May 2007.
The European Agenda for Culture seeks to address the role of culture in the EU. There is a growing recognition within the EU that culture lies at the heart of the European project and has a unique and indispensable role to play.
- The promotion of cultural diversity and intercultural dialouge
- The promotion of culture as a catalyst for creativity in the framework of the Lisbon Strategy for growth, employment, innovation and competitiveness
- The promotion of cultura eas a vital element in the Union's international relations
The intention of the agenda is to establish new partnerships and forms of communication. Therefore a structured dialogue between the political field (EU Commission, Member States, EU Parliament) and the civil society shall be developed.
Downloads:
August 2009
The final versions of the policy papers of the Culture Sector Platforms are now available. Please find here
- The document of the Platform on the "Potential of the Culture and Creative Industries" pdf-file (665 KB)
- The document of the Platform on "Access to Culture" in four parts
Policy guidelines, pdf-file (170 KB)
Annex I - Supporting legal framework, pdf-file (97 KB)
Annex II - Position papers of working groups, pdf-file (290 KB)
Annex III - Best practices, pdf-file (841 KB)
July 2009
The European Music Council participated in all three platforms during the last year and joined plenary and working group meetings. It was very interesting to be part of a process where individuals and organisations that represent different and sometimes even completely opposing directions sat together to formulate a joint paper in order to strengthen the voice of culture within Europe.
From 8 to 10 June the European Commission hosted plenary meetings of all three platforms that introduced a first set of recommendations at this stage.
You will find an extensive report on the plenary meeting for download here (pdf-file).
June 2008
The EMC was chosen to participate in the EU CULTURE SECTOR PLATFORMS "Intercultural Dialogue", "Access To Culture" and "Potential of Creative and Culture Industries". The first meetings of the platforms were hold in June 2008. EMC Acting Secretary General, Simone Dudt, took part in all of them. You can download a detailed report about the three meetings here.
March 2008
Info Day on "Structured Dialogue" organised by the EU Commission on 19 March 2008.
A full conference room in the Charlemagne building with more than 500 representatives from the Civil Society followed the invitation of the DG Culture and Education.
In the focus: How to start the structured dialogue as presented in the European Agenda for Culture.
After introducing again the three main objectives of the agenda and the five priorities set by the Culture Council in November 2007, new developments were introduced.
For the member states Sonja Kralj Bervar from Slovenia was invited to report on the latest discussion within the Slovenian EU Presidency and speak for the EU member states. The Culture Council has decided to install working groups on different issues of the “agenda” – these working groups will be installed before the next meeting of the Council which will take place in May 2008.
Mme Odile Quintin (Director DG Education and Culture) presented the main features of the structured dialogue with the cultural sector as envisaged by the EU Commission. The EU Commission would like to support and facilitate the dialogue with the sector and enhance the structure of the sector.
Odile Quintin namely mentioned the “Civil Society (Rainbow) Platform” and the Rainbow Paper process as exemplary and role model for other platforms to be installed.
As tools for the structured dialogue the EU Commission will set up two complementary platforms:
• Access to Culture in all its dimension
• Potential of Cultural and Creative Industries
One of the aims of the platforms shall be to better structure and organise the culture sector at EU level.
You may download the "Call for expression of interest" here.
November 2007
The EU Council of Cultural Ministers has adopted the Communication, approved the Open Method of Coordination and decided on a list of priorities for the coming years. You may find more detailed information in the ENCATC newsletter.
September 2007
EFAH (European Forum for the Arts and Heritage), IETM (international network for contemporary performing arts) and the EMC have been working together on a briefing on the Communication and on a model letters to national governments and to MEPs.
Please find the briefing here in English (pdf) and here in French (pdf).
You may use the following model letters to contact your government and MEPs as soon as possible and lobby for an endorsement of the Communication.
Model letter in English (pdf)
Model letter in French (pdf)
June 2007
Simone Dudt, EMC deputy secretery General, has formulated a comment on the Communication, which you may download here (in German).
May 2007
The "Communication on a European Agenda for Culture in a globalizing world" of the EU Commission has been published. Please find the full text here.
September - November 2006
The Directorate General for Education and Culture (DG EAC) has launched a Communication on culture which seeks to address the role of culture in the EU. There is a growing recognition within the EU that culture lies at the heart of the European project and has a unique and indispensable role to play.
The Communication will analyse the various dimensions of the role of culture in the European project, take stock of existing efforts but also identify new challenges and possible new avenues for tackling them, in terms of substance and methods. The aim is both to identify common priorities (a European ‘agenda’ for culture) and to develop new frameworks and methods for dialogue and cooperation.
Please read the contribution of the EMC here.
