Background and links to Culture
Introduction
The European Commission acknowledges the role of culture and has adopted a European Agenda for Culture, founded on the objectives of: cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue; culture as a catalyst for creativity, and culture as a key component in international relations. Libraries are hardly visible in cultural policies and programmes - that’s why EBLIDA needs to be involved in defining policies and actions to demonstrate that libraries are part of and play an important role in the cultural sector, for example:
1. in cultural education,
2. in promotion of literature, and reading,
3. in promoting diversity of cultural expressions and heritage,
4. in providing (digital) cultural information services,
5. in arranging cultural activities, even across borders.
Relevant European Papers, directives, recommendations, etc.
The EU Treaty (Article 151, paragraph 4) requires the Union to take culture into account in all its actions so as to foster intercultural respect and promote diversity. The Commission intends to ensure that the promotion of culture and cultural diversity is given due consideration when all regulatory and financial decisions or proposals are made.
Point of departure
European Commission
- Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on a European agenda for culture in a globalizing world (Report number SEC(2007) 570)
- European Commission Directorate General on Education and Culture
- Work Plan for Culture 2008-2010
Conclusions of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the Work Plan for Culture 2008-2010.
European Parliament
- European Parliament Committee for Culture and Education (CULT)
The site links to the list of MEP members of CULT (including their country and affiliation), and to CULT meeting agendas, minutes, reports and opinions.
Statistics and data
- Compendium
Data and statistics related to culture in European countries produced and updated by the Council of Europe. Country profiles, trends, policy, legal provisions, and finance are all included.
- Eurostat data
Eurostat is the statistical office of the European Union situated in Luxembourg. Its task is to provide the European Union with statistics at European level that enable comparisons between countries and regions. It publishes statistics, country profiles and yearbooks.
- IFLA Success Stories database
Libraries can add and search for examples of projects related to cultural heritage and cultural diversity.
- IFLA World Report
Published every two years this database contains statistics and data on libraries and questions related to freedom of information. The data can be downloaded into comparative tables by country or by a particular question.
- LibEcon database
Statistics from libraries from 1996-2001 and from the LibEcon2000 project spanning the years 1991-1998. The site also links to lists of potential country statistics sources.
Lobbying activities/positions statements/ stakeholders
- Europe and the Book
A position paper published as a report from the Federation of European Publishers on EU programmes for books.
- EBLIDA position papers and responses on culture.
Information on calls for projects on EU Programmes
- Culture Programme 2007 – 2013
The aim of the multi-annual Programme is to encourage and support cultural cooperation within Europe in order to bring the European common cultural heritage to the fore. The Programme proposes funding opportunities to all cultural sections and all categories of cultural operators contributing to the development of cultural cooperation at European level, with a view to encouraging the emergence of European citizenship.
trans national mobility of cultural players;
trans national circulation of artistic and cultural works and products;
intercultural dialogue and exchanges.
Culture in Motion: Brochure from the Education and Culture DG on the programme
- Education, Audiovisual and Culture – Executive Agency
The Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) is responsible for the management of certain parts of the EU's programmes in the fields of education, culture and audiovisual. Its role is to manage European funding opportunities and networks in the fields of education and training, citizenship, youth, audiovisual and culture.