News

   The Sixteenth Conference of Culture Action Europe - the European Forum for the Arts and Heritage was held in Marseilles from 23-25 October. More than 250 participants from 25 countries took part in two intense days of reflection, debate and action around the place and role of culture in Europe

The first conference theme looked outwards, towards the challenges facing cultural operators and their public in the neighbourhood of the European Union and around the Mediterranean in particular. Plenary sessions discussed the difficulty for the cultural sector in exchanging ideas and working together normally at a time when economic concerns are making European visa regimes ever more restrictive to those outside the Union. This raises problems not just for those involved in creative activity but for professionals in cultural administration needing to engage with EU colleagues.





Keynote speakers urged Europe to operate a fair exchange with other countries, that was not a monologue from the EU, and to base its policies less on national prestige and more on the multilateral fulfilment of the individual’s cultural rights.





The conference covered the activities of local and regional authorities, especially in the EuroMed area and was informed of the new opportunities that they were taking, using EU programmes, to co-operate in cultural initiatives.





The second theme of the conference examined the ways in which nongovernmental cultural organisations and networks are working to influence the way policies for cultural action are being shaped at the EU level. The Rainbow Paper, the declaration of the Platform for an Intercultural Europe, was presented to and acclaimed by the participants.





There were calls for greater commonality of purpose between the creative industries and the artistic sectors, and for the cause of cultural expression to be a cornerstone of civil society development in Europe.





Finally the cultural sector was urged to use the global financial crisis as an opportunity for reform; to help lead the way out of recession, to insist that politicians adhere to fundamental values, and to articulate the relationship between the individual’s cultural aspirations and the political process.

<font color="#333399"><font color="#333399">- The report of the conference</font>



<font color="#333399">- The report of the workshops</font>



<font color="#333399">- Some pictures of the conference</font></font>



<font color="#333399">- The keynote speeches by Barabara Loyer, Réda Chikhi and Ferdinand Richard</font>