Brussels,
8 June 2016
Questions
and answers
Why
has the Commission adopted an EU Strategy for international cultural relations?
In
a fast-changing, inter-connected world, cultural relations offer a unique
opportunity for improving relations with EU partner countries. Culture is a
valuable resource to tackle many of the challenges Europe and the world are
currently facing – such as the integration of refugees and migrants, countering
violent radicalisation and the protection of cultural heritage.
The
potential of the cultural and creative sectors and the economic benefits of
cultural exchanges also need to be tapped into to contribute to inclusive
growth and job creation in the EU and its partner countries.
Several
parties - Member States, the European Parliament and civil society – have
called on the High Representative and the European Commission to develop a
strategic vision to advance international cultural relations. The call to draw
up such a strategy is also underpinned by the Preparatory Action on Culture in EU
External Relations, which highlighted the need to implement a new
model of cultural cooperation, based on co-operation and peer-to-peer learning.
The
global context makes the call for the development of an EU strategy only
stronger. Increased cultural cooperation and direct contacts and exchanges
between people will contribute to making the EU a stronger global actor, in
line with the ninth priority outlined by President Jean-Claude Juncker,
reflecting the ambition of the EU's forthcoming Global Strategy.
What
are the main objectives of the new strategy?
The
EU strategy for international cultural relations will focus on three main
objectives:
- Supporting culture as an engine for social and economic development (p.7)
The
economic benefits of cultural exchanges are too often overlooked. Global trade
in creative products has more than doubled between 2004 and 2013, despite the
global recession. Culture is a central element in the new economy driven by
creativity, innovation, digital dimension and access to knowledge. Cultural and
creative industries represent around 3% of global GDP and 30 million jobs. In
the EU alone these industries account for more than 7 million jobs. In
developing countries, UNESCO's Culture for Development Indicators (CDIS) show
that culture contributes 1.5% to 5.7% of GDP in low and middle-income countries.
The
available data both in developing and developed countries indicate that the
cultural sectors may account, depending on the country and scope, for 2% and 7%
of GDP respectively, which is more than many other traditional industrial
sectors.
The
EU strategy for international cultural relations should therefore also become a
strategy for inclusive growth and job creation.
- Promoting intercultural dialogue and the role of culture for peaceful inter-community relations (p.10)
Inter-cultural
dialogue, including inter-religious dialogue, is a key tool in promoting the
building of fair, peaceful and inclusive societies as well as the value of
cultural diversity and respect for human rights. It establishes common ground
and a favourable environment for further exchanges.
Inter-cultural
dialogue will be promoted through cooperation between cultural operators;
peace-building cultural activities; exchanges between young people, students,
researchers, scientists and alumni; as well as through cooperation on the protection
of cultural heritage.
- Reinforcing cooperation on cultural heritage (p.11)
Cultural
heritage is an important manifestation of cultural diversity that needs to be
protected. Rehabilitating and promoting cultural heritage attracts tourism and
boosts economic growth. There are many opportunities for joint action with
partner countries to develop sustainable strategies for heritage protection
through training, skills development and knowledge transfer.
The
EU supports research and innovation for cultural heritage. The Commission will
contribute to international efforts for the protection of cultural heritage
sites and will consider a legislative proposal to regulate the import into the
EU of cultural goods. It will also propose to the European Parliament and the
Council of the EU to organise a European Year of Cultural Heritage in 2018.
How will the strategy be implemented and what will the
Member States' role be?
The
success of the new approach relies on the principle that all stakeholders join
forces. Complementarity and synergies between all main players – governments
from partner countries at all levels, local cultural organisations and civil
society, the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS), EU
Member States, and their cultural institutes - are essential.
For
the implementation of the Strategy for international cultural relations, the EU
can count on its 139 Delegations and Offices operating around the world, which
already carry out an enormous number of cultural activities in their host
countries. The EU (delegations) will act as an enabler and encourage synergies
and cooperation between national cultural institutes and foundations, and
private and public enterprises worldwide.
It
is therefore important to establish effective partnerships between all these
bodies. That is why an EU Cultural Diplomacy Platform was set up in February
2016, focusing on strategic partners. Operated by a consortium of Member
States' Cultural Institutes and other partners, the Platform will advise the European
Commission and the EEAS on external cultural policy, facilitate networking,
carry out activities with cultural stakeholders and develop training programmes
for cultural leadership.
Could you give concrete examples of projects to be carried
out under the new Strategy?
A
pilot project has just been launched to create a global platform (p.13)
gathering networks of young cultural entrepreneurs from Europe and partner
countries to facilitate exchanges between them. The Creative Europe programme,
the main EU financial instrument for culture, is open to neighbourhood and
enlargement countries, and the Commission encourages them to join.
The
11th EDF Intra-ACP programme (p.6&7) will support the
contribution of cultural industries to the socio-economic development of ACP
countries. Another initiative will be launched on intercultural dialogue
including local authorities, funded under the Development Cooperation
Instrument (DCI).
In
the South Mediterranean, the EU will continue to support the Anna Lindh
Foundation (p.11), including the second phase of the Young Arab Voices
programme (now enlarged to the EuroMediterranean region) to deepen the dialogue
between young leaders and civil society representatives and develop
counter-narratives to extremism and violent radicalisation.
In
the Eastern Partnership (EaP), the "EaP Culture Programme Phase II"
is supporting the cultural and creative sectors’ contribution to sustainable
humanitarian, social and economic development. At the same time, the
"Community-Led Urban Strategies in Historic Towns" project seeks to
stimulate social and economic development by enhancing cultural heritage in 9
historic towns in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and
Ukraine.
The
new Strategy will allow the targeting of specific regions or countries with
appropriate actions. For example, the EU Cultural Diplomacy Platform is now
exploring possibilities of cultural cooperation with Iran, in particular in the
field of cultural heritage. Other ideas are being explored, such as the opening
of a House of European Culture in Tehran. Similar projects are being considered
for Ukraine.
MEMO/16/2075
Hello Everybody,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.
BORROWERS APPLICATION DETAILS
1. Name Of Applicant in Full:……..
2. Telephone Numbers:……….
3. Address and Location:…….
4. Amount in request………..
5. Repayment Period:………..
6. Purpose Of Loan………….
7. country…………………
8. phone…………………..
9. occupation………………
10.age/sex…………………
11.Monthly Income…………..
12.Email……………..
Regards.
Managements
Email Kindly Contact: (urgentloan22@gmail.com)
Are you in need of a loan? Do you want to pay off your bills? Do you want to be financially stable? All you have to do is to contact us for more information on how to get started and get the loan you desire. This offer is open to all that will be able to repay back in due time. Note-that repayment time frame is negotiable and at interest rate of 3% just email us (creditloan11@gmail.com)
ReplyDeleteHello Everybody,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.