A new European agenda for culture

The EESC holds the view that Europe is a cultural community based on shared values and that the social market economy is a hallmark of the European way of life. It also considers it vital to consolidate and develop the EU cultural dimension based on the common values enshrined in the Treaties. 

Key points

The EESC:

• considers that Europe is a cultural community based on shared values and that the social market economy is a hallmark of the European way of life;
• finds it vital to consolidate and develop the EU cultural dimension based on the common values enshrined in the Treaties;
• views Europe's tangible and intangible cultural heritage as the cement that holds the peoples of Europe together and precisely because of the political and identity crisis currently assailing Europe thinks that it is extremely important to restore culture's key role in transmitting links with identity;
• is of the view that only by strengthening the sense of belonging in Europe and a common cultural identity will it be possible to promote European construction and cultural and linguistic diversity;
• calls for the launch of the Agenda to provide an opportunity to reflect on the vision of a New European Renaissance aimed at creating a European Cultural Area;
• suggests that on the cultural supply side, initiatives should be clear and readily accessible to recipients, making use of new channels of multilingual communication, while on the cultural demand side, action should be geared directly to the end users of culture;
• firmly believes that it can play a proactive role in a structured cultural dialogue, to strengthen democratic citizenship, cultural identity and the sharing of multiple creative expressions of society.