Sustainability of Culture

Abstract

The European Union has the opportunity and mandate to set an example for the promotion and protection of cultural- and linguistic diversity, plurality and sustainability. These distinctive features make Europe a force for peace and prosperity in the World. Culture enables humanity to co-exist in a ‘cultural harmony’ that celebrates creativity and innovativeness as well as difference and mutual learning. The link between culture and economy is undeniable. Cultural identity and cultural diversity are important engines of economic and social progress. Forward-looking cultural policy supported by education and science will help to strengthen the creativity and innovativeness of the EU. Such a comprehensive effort will also positively influence the European socio-economic cohesion process. Forward-looking cultural policy combined with skilfully managed immigration policy could lead to a new renaissance of Europe. Each culture contributes to the human commons and each enriches human diversity via its own complementary outlook. 1. Recommendations - Political- and other societal leaders must develop legal instruments that are stronger than the existing ones at national, EU and international level, in order to foster and protect the manifold- and diverse cultural assets within Europe for the benefit of humanity. - Institutional innovation and novel actions are needed in the field of culture to harness the creativity harboured in local-, regional- and minority cultures and in the interaction between cultures, both in Europe and beyond. - The EU should establish the European Local and Regional Culture Fund within its next Multiannual Financial Perspective (2014 – 2020) and promote more culture-centered policy-making. (The Recommendations were transmitted to the European Union in January 2012.) 2. Major Issues relating to Sustainability of Culture - How to ensure full respect and moral-, economic- and political support for the minority cultures and languages in Europe? - How to maximise cultural-, economic- and social benefits from unused- and under utilised cultural resources including the positive force represented by immigration – while strengthening core European values? - Above all, for Europe, the issue is how to remain one of the World’s cultural-, moral-, social-, economic- and political leaders.