October plenary session: debate on a "Cultural vision for Europe"

The second day of the plenary began with a debate on "a cultural vision for Europe".

André Wilkens opened the debate: The director of the European Culture Foundation pointed out the need for a renewed sense of European belonging and European sentiment. Especially younger people often experienced Europe as a problem in itself, he said, for example in the context of the economic crisis. Therefore, there was a need to "tell the future of Europe" beyond economic narratives.

Pier Luigi Sacco, special advisor to the Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, focused in his contribution on the economic added-value of culture. He mentioned culture as a powerful instrument to overcome the fear of innovation and foster behavioural change in companies: These economic effects were much larger than the turnover of the cultural industry as such. Additionally, culture could change the life course of those who felt neglected in European societies: For instance, cultural participation had positive effects on social cohesion and could remove resentments, for example against immigrants.

The third speaker on the panel was Elke Kaschl Mohni from the Goethe Institute. In her presentation, the director of Brussel's local branch of the institute said that strengthening relations of trust and understanding between humans was crucial in a globalised world. Especially the UNESCO Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions had contributed to a global paradigm shift from cultural diplomacy to cultural relations, she said. Airan Berg, a cultural manager and theatre director, followed up on this contribution by presenting European projects that promoted "participative and collaborative" culture.

During the discussion that followed the different presentations, for the Workers' Group, it was particularly important to address precarious working conditions for culture professionals and the lacking visibility of women in the world of culture.

Tatjana Babrauskiene said that culture had to become more accessible. She criticised that political actors put an emphasis on high culture while at the same time support for artists and cultural work "on the ground" was lacking. Additionally, knowledge about culture should be made compulsory in education curricula to provide all children with access to high culture.

Adam Rogalewski focused on the importance of public investment in culture and the public responsibility of preventing precarious working conditions for culture professionals. Rogalewski also mentioned that those who want to use culture for their agenda of national identity could abuse it. He also identified a need for a more diverse cultural landscape, with culture produced by women, migrants and people with disabilities.

Maria Nikolopoulou likewise emphasised this point by demonstrating the lacking representation of women in the world of culture, especially in job profiles related to photography, orchestra and directing films. Women had to become more visible in these areas, she urged. Additionally, more should be done to facilitate access to culture for everyone and address precarious working conditions.

Work organisation