" That a system of cultural conventions be established between the Member States of the Council of Europe in the spirit of the agreements which have already been concluded between several of these countries."
This Recommendation was adopted by the Committee of Ministers. (Doc. A 425, 5th November 1949, Item 4.)
The Recommendation was duly transmitted to Member States. Replies were received from four Governments only, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. No Government entered into new negotiations for the conclusion of cultural agreements; but some negotiations were already in progress between several Member States of the Council. These are continuing at present.
(See Appendix I : Cultural conventions of the Brussels Treaty Powers; replies from the Permanent Commission of the Brussels Treaty Powers to two questions addressed by a Representative of the Consultative Assembly.)
" That appropriate measures be taken to ensure between Member States of the Council of Europe the free circulation, exempt from all customs and similar duties of books, periodicals, papers, works of art, and documentary films except, in each case, those prohibited by the rules in force relating to public morality."
(a) The Committee of Ministers instructed the Secretariat-General to submit a Report to it on this proposal after a consultation with UNESCO, the Permanent Commission of the Brussels Treaty Powers, the Scandinavian Cultural Alliance and such other organisations as were dealing with the same problem. (Doc. A. 485, 5th November, 1949, Item 4.)
(b) The Secretariat-General subsequently reported to the Committee of Ministers. (Doc. CM (50) 1, 20th February, 1950.) The conclusions formulated in this Report (see below) were adopted by the Advisers of the Committee of Ministers (29th March, 1950).
(c) The Committee of Ministers confirmed the opinion of the Advisers of the Committee of Ministers and emphasised the need of t h e Council of Europe to maintain a close and continuous collaboration with UNESCO in particular. (Doc. 11, ordinary session 1950.)
The conclusions of the Secretariat-General which were approved by the Committee of Ministers may be summarised as follows :
UNESCO has been engaged since 1946 on this important problem of the free circulation of cultural and artistic works. À draft convention has been elaborated likely to satisfy all its member states.
This draft covers the whole of the Recommendation. It is therefore desirable for the Consultative Assembly during its Session in 1950 to recommend to Member States of the Council of Europe the establishment of agreements based on the draft drawn up by UNESCO.
(See Appendix II : Scandinavian agreements in cultural fields; Appendix III : draft protocol drawn up by UNESCO.)
" That consideration be given to the question of close collaboration in scientific research and technical development between Member States of the Council of Europe and that material resources and technical manpower be pooled to the maximum for this purpose."
As in the case of the previous Recommendation, the Committee of Ministers instructed the Secretariat to submit a report to it in consultation with relevant organisations.
The conclusions of the Secretariat-General (Doc. CM (50) 1) were adopted by the Committee of Ministers. They are summarised as follows :
The practical problems to which the Recommendation gave rise were in process of being resolved satisfactorily by 0. E. E. C. It was, therefore, desirable that in the course of its Second Session the Consultative Assembly should give its approval and encouragement to the measures being taken bv 0. E. E. C. in this field.
In addition, the Secretariat-General consulted, through UNESCO, the Bureau of the International Council of Scientific Unions which pursues similar activities.
The Secretariat-General proposed that this liaison should be maintened.
(See Appendix IV : Measures taken by 0. E. E. C.)
" That practical aid be provided by legislation or otherwise for private organisations working to promote European culture."
The Committee of Ministers requested clarification of this Recommendation. (March, 1950.)
At its meeting of 28th-29th April, the Committee drew up a new text in the form of a Recommendation for presentation to the Assembly at its Second Session. (Doc. 3, ordinary session 1950).
(See Appendices V and VI.)
" That the Committee of Ministers invite Ministers of Education to meet with the view of drawing up a European plan of co-operation.
The Ministers of Education may bo assisted for this purpose by such experts as they may wish.
For matters coming within the jurisdiction of Universities, the Committee of Ministers should invite the responsible authorities (Rectors, Chancellors, Vice-Chancellors, etc.) to a meeting to consult one another on measures to be adopted.
The plan of co-operation to be submitted to the next Session of the Assembly should relate in particular to t h e following :
The Assembly considers that the question of a European University should be discussed at the next Session.
The Assembly considers that it should direct the attention of the Ministers of Education to the plight of t h e professors and teachers displaced by war who have lost their positions, their books and instruments, and to devise means by which their knowledge and talent might bo used for European cultural and scientific purposes."
(a) The Committee of Ministers considered that, before being in a position to put forward an opinion on this Recommendation, it should be provided with a detailed Report from the Secretariat-General (meeting of the Committee of Ministers, November, 1949. Doc. A 485).
(b) The Secretariat-General having compiled this Report (Doc. CM (50) 1, 20th February, 1950), the Committee of Ministers instructed the Committee of Experts to submit its considered opinion. This Committee sat from 28th-30th June, 1950. MM. Smitt-Ingebrctsen and Giacchero, Vice-Chairman, and a member, respectively of our Committee, took part in the proceedings in a consultative capacity. The Report of the Committee of Experts is contained in Document CM (50) 34 and also in Document 11annexed to the letter from the Committee of Ministers adressed to the President of the Assembly.
(c) The Committee of Ministers approved the preamble of the Report of the Experts. It also accepted the proposal under Item 3 of the first part of the Report and recommended its adoption to Member States. The Committee decided " to submit the other proposals to the attention of Governments, it being understood that the Assembly would be informed as soon as possible of the action taken."
(See Appendix VII : Report of Experts.)
" It is recommended that the Committee of Ministers institute a European Cultural Centre the principal functions of which would be as follows :
The Assembly considers that it should be left to the organisers of the European Cultural Centre to decide how far it may be desirable to form branches of the Centre, working in liaison with it, in the respective countries.
The Assembly, in so far as these Recommendations relate to those for which UNESCO is responsible at a European level, expresses the hope t h a t an effective liaison may be established with that organisation. "
A request for moral and material assistance has been laid before the Committee on behalf of the European Cultural Centre, set up at Geneva by the European Movement.
The Committee, cognizant of the fact that a network of cultural conventions already exists between certain Member States of the Council of Europe, particularly among the Scandinavian States and the Brussels Treaty Powers (see Appendices I and II);
recommends that all Member States of the Council of Europe enter into immediate negotiations with a view to the conclusion of conventions identical or similar to those already in existence in the same spirit of co-operation.
The Committee,
considering that the draft convention drawn up by UNESCO at its Fifth General Conference held in Florence (May-June, 1950) is of such a nature as to promote effectively the free circulation of cultural material;
recommends to the Assembly and to the Committee of Ministers that Member States be invited to ratify the convention and to conclude agreements consonant therewith among themselves (see Appendix III).
The Committee, moreover, expressed the wish that as close and sustained relations as possible be established in the field of cultural relations between the Council of Europe and UNESCO, it being understood that the Standing Committee of the Assembly and Secretariat- General are in a position to maintain those relations in the name of the Council of Europe with the assent of the Committee of Ministers.
The Committee,
noting that, thanks to the activity of the 0. E. E. C, considerable progress has been made in the course of the last year in so far as co-operation between Member States of the Council of Europe in scientific research and technical development is concerned,
recommends that the co-ordination of the activities of the Council of Europe and the O.E.E.C. in this field be intensified and that the Standing Committee of the Assembly and the Secretariat-General be instructed to develop still further to this end the contacts existing between the Council of the O.E.E.C. as well as with the Bureau of the International Council of Scientific Unions.
The Committee recommends,
that the support of the Council of Europe be given to private international organisations the object of which is to promote European culture. This support may take the form of simple patronage if such is required; it may be extended to include financial aid if an appropriate sum is subsequently included in the budget of the Council of Europe. This support may also take such other form as circumstances require. In this connection the Committee believes that it is duty to emphasise to the Assembly and the Committee of Ministers the need for the Council of Europe to enjoy sufficient, funds in order to be in a position to defray the cost of implementing those recommendations adopted.
In the meantime, where formal patronage is granted by the Council of Europe, the fact should be considered by Member States so that each might give its financial support to organisations under patronage..
(1) A request would be received by the Assembly either through one of its Representatives or through the Secretariat.
(2) The Committee on Cultural and Scientific Questions would examine the request confidentially.
(3) The proposal put forward by the Committee would be transmitted through the Bureau of the Assembly to the Standing Committee.
(4) If the proposal were to be accepted by the Standing Committee, the Bureau of the Assembly would submit it to tho latter as a draft Recommendation to t h e Committee of Ministers.
(5)If the proposal were rejected by the Standing Committee, it would be referred back to the Committee on Cultural and Scientific Questions with the opinion of the Standing Committee for the purpose of a fresh discussion.
(6) The institutions to which formal patronage has been granted will periodically inform the Secretariat-General of the development of their activities and the results obtained.
The Council of Europe reserves the right to withdraw its formal patronage at any time if it deems such a measure necessary.
The Committee,
having taken cognizance of the statute and the programme of the European College of Bruges, a private institution of an international character, the scat of which is at Bruges (Appendix V), request the Bureau and the Standing Committee to recommend that the Assembly and the Committee of Ministers grant their formal patronage to this institution.
The Committee is of the opinion that the Council of Europe should give its encouragement to such other institutions as may be founded in other European countries in the same spirit as the College of Bruges.
The Committee,
considering that the aims of the European Cultural Centre founded in Geneva on the initiative, and under the auspices of the European Movement, answer the requirements of the Recommendations adopted by the Assembly at its First Session (Appendix VI),
requests the Bureau of the Standing Committee to recommend that the Assembly and the Committee of Ministers grant the formal patronage of the Council of Europe to this institution. The Committee expresses the wish that the activities of the European Cultural Centre and those of the College of Bruges should be co-ordinated.
It also wishes to present once more the Recommendation of 1949 according to the terms of which the Council of Europe should not only grant its patronage to a European Cultural centre but also take under its wing and assume the actual administration of such an institution.
LThe Committee expressed the keen interest in the proposal of the Turkish delegation of the Assembly to contribute, with the support of the Turkish Government, to the foundation of a European Cultural Centre in Istanbul, the object of which would be to add to the lustre of European culture in the Near East.
The Committee cannot, however, recommend that the Council of Europe grant its patronage to the institution until it is in receipt of more concrete information on the proposal.
The Committee,
having considered seriatim the conclusions of the Report of the Governmental Experts who met in Strasbourg from 28th-30th June, 1950 (Appendix VII), notes with satisfaction that the Committee of Ministers has adopted both the preamble of the Report and the proposals relating to the conditions for the equivalence of diplomas and university degrees in Member States of the Council of Europe. It further notes that the Committee of Ministers has submitted the other proposals contained in the Report to the attention of Governments.
The Committee recommends that the Assembly of Ministers decide :
The Committee invites the Governmental Experts to encourage the efforts of countries fostering forms of culture which, while peculiar to them, have a universal value.
The Committee,
while accepting the reasons for which, according to the opinion of the Experts, the meeting of Rectors and Vice-Chancellors of Universities had to be postponed,
re-adopts its 1949 Resolution in this connection and recommends that the Assembly and the Committee of Ministers invite Rectors and Vice- Chancellors of Universities to meet under the aegis of the Council of Europe at a date to be fixed in the coming months.
It is the opinion of the Committee that this meeting, exceptional as it would be in character, would be a declaration of active interest and positive goodwill on the part of the intellectual authorities most directly interested in the safeguarding of European culture and tho best qualified to express an opinion on the main problems under discussion.
The agenda and the date of the meeting will be determined after the next meeting of governmental experts who will inform the Secretariat of their suggestions on this matter.
The Committee recommends,
that the Assembly and the Committee of Ministers instruct the governmental experts to consider the practical conditions in which a European University can be founded if the principle thereof is accepted and to indicate the rules to which existing Universities would have to subscribe in order to receive the title and the rank of European Universities from the Council of Europe.
The Rectors and University Vice-Chancellors will also be invited to formulate their opinion on this proposal which the Committee recommends for inclusion in the Agenda of the next Session.
The Committee recommends,
that Member States of t h e Council of Europe be invited to adopt in due legal form a " cultural identity card similar to that brought out by the countries signatory to the Brussels Treaty.
The Committee,
considering that the study and application of the various measures deemed necessary to ensure cultural co-operation within the framework of the Council of Europe will entail additional work and new expenditure,
desiring to bring to a more rapid conclusion the decisions which have been reached,
proposes to the Assembly to recommend to the Committee of Ministers and the Governments concerned that the financial and other necessary means be put at the disposal of administrations and qualified organisations in order to bring to a successful issue the new tasks which devolve upon them.
The Committee,
having noted the replies returned by the Permanent Commission of the Brussels Treaty Powers to the questions submitted to it by a Representative to the Consultative Assembly (Appendix I),
recommends to the Committee of Ministers to invite the Permanent Commission to keep the Secretariat-General in periodic touch with its cultural activities with a view to t h e eventual conclusion by the Member States of the Council of Europe of cultural conventions identical or similar to those existing among the Brussels Treaty Powers.
The Committee recommends,
that the question of a European Broadcasting Station be included in the Agenda of the next Session of the Assembly.
This may be accomplished either by setting up a " Radio Europe " broadcasting station or by arrangements to be made between existing broadcasting stations.
The Committee recommends,
that courses and lectures be instituted as soon as possible in all schools and educational institutions of Member States in order to disseminate the idea of European Unity.
A P P E N D I X I : Cultural co-operation within the framework of the Brussels Treaty.
A P P E N D I X II : Cultural co-operation in Scandinavian countries.
A P P E N D I X III : Draft protocol drawn up by UNESCO relating to the import of educational and cultural material.
A P P E N D I X IV : Measures proposed by the Council of the O.E.E.C for the development of co-operation on technical and scientific questions among countries, members of the O.E.E.C.
A P P E N D I X V: The College of Europe in Bruges.
A P P E N D I X VI : The European Cultural Centre.
A P P E N D I X VII: Report by Governmental Experts of the Member States of the Council of Europe.
Certain bilateral Conventions have been concluded between the Brussels Treaty Countries. Apart from some differences in detail, t h e clauses of those Conventions, which are reproduced below, are identical :
For instance :
The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of the one part, and the Government of the French Republic of the other,
Having in mind the long and fruitful cooperation between the British and French peoples in the field of culture,
Desiring to encourage this co-operation still further both in their respective countries and on the international plane,
And desiring to that end t o promote in each country the fullest possible knowledge and understanding of the intellectual, artistic, scientific, technical and educational activities and of the history and ways of life of the other,
Have decided to conclude a Cultural Convention and have accordingly appointed as their Plenipotentiaries :
For the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland :
His Excellency Sir Oliver Charles HARVEY, G.C.M.G., C.B., His Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary at Paris;
For the Government of the French Republic :
His Excellency M. Georges BIDAULT, Minister for Foreign Affairs; His Excellency M. Edouard DEPREUX, Minister for National Education.
Who, having communicated to each other their full powers found in good and due form, have agreed as follows :
ARTICLE 1
Each Contracting Party shall encourage the creation at Universities and other Institutions for higher education in its territory of Professorial Chairs, Readerships, Lectureships, and courses in the language, literature, social studies and history of the other country and in other cultural subjects concerning that country.
ARTICLE 2
Each Contracting Party shall be permitted to establish cultural Institutes in the territory of the other provided that the requirements of the local law with regard to the establishment of such institutes are complied with. The term " Institute " shall include schools, libraries and cultural centres dedicated to the purpose which the present Convention has in view.
ARTICLE 3
Each Contracting Party shall encourage visits and exchange of students, schoolchildren, professors, teachers and all other groups likely to profit from such cultural exchanges.
It shall facilitate the organisation in the territory of the other of exhibitions, lectures, broadcast and musical and theatrical performances, and the distribution of books, periodicals and other publications, printed and recorded music and films.
ARTICLE 4
The Contracting Parties shalJ consider how far and under what conditions degrees, diplomas and certificates of one territory may be accepted as equivalent to corresponding degrees, diplomas and certificates of the other for academic purposes and, in appropriate cases, for professional purposes.
ARTICLE 5
For the purpose of close and continuous consultation between the two Parties in the field of cultural relations, a permanent Mixed Commission, consisting of fourteen members, shall be set up. This Mixed Commission shall meet when necessary and at least once a year in France and in the United Kingdom alternately.
ARTICLE 6
Each Contracting Party may designate organisations to ensure the execution of the above or any other measures falling within the scope of the present Convention, and more particularly those measures detailed in the Protocol annexed hereto which shall have force and effect as an integral part of the Convention.
ARTICLE 7
Nothing in the Convention or in the Protocol shall be deemed to affect the obligation of any person to comply with the laws and regulations in force in either country concerning the entry, residence and departure of foreigners.
ARTICLE 8
In this Convention and in the Protocol by the expression " territory " and " country " is understood the territories to which the agreement applies under the provisions of Article 9.
ARTICLE 9
ARTICLE 10
The present Convention shall be ratified. The exchange of the instruments of ratification shall take place in London. The Convention shall enter into force on the fifteenth day after the oxchange of instruments of ratification.
ARTICLE 11
The present Convention shall remain in force for at least five years. If not denounced by either Contracting Party, not less than six months before the expiry of that period, it shall remain in force until the expiry of six months from the date on which either Contracting Party has given notice of denunciation.
In witness whereof the above-mentioned Plenipotentiaries have signed the present Convention and fixed thereto their seals.
Done in duplicate in Paris, the second day of March 1948, in English and French, both texts being equally authentic.
(L. S.) Oliver HARVEY (L. S.) G. BIDAULT.
(L. S.) E. DEPREUX.
On the signature of this Convention between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of t h e French Republic t h e undersigned Plenipotentiaries have agreed as follows :
Three resolutions submitted by the Cultural Committee were, in June 1949, approved by the Permanent Commission of the Brussels Treaty and submitted to the Five Governments for action. These resolutions recommended measures for removing obstacles to the free flow of books and periodicals between the Five Countries, for the acquisition of contemporary works of art and for the inclusion in the five national budgets of a certain sum for the financing of cultural activities in the Five Countries.
(See the 3 Secretary general's reports contained hereafter.)
For the purposes of the implementation of the resolution on the acquisition of contemporary works of art, the Cultural Committee felt it was necessary to find a common Fivepower definition of the term " contemporary work of art ". To this end, a Sub-Committee of cultural and customs experts agreed on a definition which is shortly to be considered by the Permanent Commission.
From the Annexes, it will be seen that the original resolutions submitted recommended more comprehensive steps than those which the Governments have, in fact, taken, in particular with regard to the resolution on books and periodicals, as will be seen from the Conclusions in Annex I. The main obstacle in the way of putting such resolutions as these into full effect remains the monetary and financial problems involved.
It is the sincere hope of the cultural experts who are making every endeavour to increase the co-operation between their countries in all educational and cultural matters that a way will be found of overcoming this first and most essential obstacle to the free circulation of cultural material between their countries. It is the main obstacle in the way of all their efforts, not only with regard to these particular resolutions, but also with regard to many other plans for co-operation such as those to increase the free movement of persons between their five countries, the planning of exhibitions and exchanges, etc. The problem depends to a large extent on the solution of monetary and economic difficulties.
As a first beginning to the removal of the many obstacles hindering the free movement of persons between the Five Countries, the Cultural Committee submitted to the Permanent Commission a scheme for the creation of a " Cultural Identity Card ". This scheme will give facilities to certain persons travelling between the Five Countries whose journeys are connected with cultural work, and so demonstrate the will of the Five Countries to emphasise their common cultural interest. The card will be available for :
The facilities available in the five countries to these categories of persons, bearers of a Cultural Identity Card, vary according to the country and include such facilities as reductions in transport prices, free entry to museums, galleries, accommodation facilities, etc. Details of these facilities will be given in a brochure written in English, French, and the Netherlands language, to be issued to bearers of the card. The scheme has been approved and will come into effect in March, 1950.
Two Sub-Committees have been working under the Cultural Committee on the ways and means of increasing and developing the exchanges, production and distribution in the Five Countries of films coming within these two categories.
It is the first time that such studies have been undertaken by governmental bodies together with representatives of the film companies themselves and it is proving an extremely interesting and valuable experiment.
It is hoped that cinema audiences in the Five Countries will in future be given as many opportunities as possible to become familar with interesting events characteristic of the life of the other four nations.
Great importance is especially attached to the interchange of news and feature items between the five nations and efforts are being made to remove obstacles at present existing such as those created by Customs duties, censorship, copyrights, etc.
Concrete results have in fact already been achieved. Organisations have been designated with a view to facilitating the exchange of information on subjects included in the newsreels of each country.
Arrangements have been made for the filming of future cultural and other events likely to be of interest to the Five Countries by the country in which they take place, and for the negatives to be sent to the other four countries.
An exchange of two news items concerning overseas territories will take place every year and films will probably be made of the principal Youth gatherings in 1950.
Resolutions have been approved by the Permanent Commission and submitted to the five Governments for the necessary action to be taken as follows :
" In view of the fact that the imposition of Customs duty and taxation of the material necessary for the positive reproduction of the subject matter of newsreel items, meaning specifically negatives, dupe negatives, lavenders and first fine-grain prints, impedes the realisation of the free and unrestricted circulation of cultural and information films, which it is hoped will one day be assured, the Permanent Commission requests the five Governments to examine the possibility of taking t h e necessary action to exempt the above material from such duty and taxation.
" In order to achieve as rapidly as possible practical results in this matter, both Government and Newsreel experts concerned in the five signatory countries are requested to examine urgently the extension and development of measures to this end already in force in certain countries. "
For the purpose of the implementation of this resolution a meeting of customs and cultural experts is to be held shortly in order to decide upon a commonly acceptable definition of newsreel material.
" AVhere an event of special interest to the Brussels Treaty signatory countries is concerned, i t is desirable that an allocation of a supplementary supply of film stock be made available to newsreel companies to enable them adequately to cover and screen such an event. "
It is desirable t h a t when any such event of special significance in relation to the aims of the Brussels Treaty occurs, the appropriate Government Department of the country immediately concerned should inform the appropriate Government Departments of the other signatory countries of such an impending event. Once so notified, it would be for the Government Departments to consult their own newsreel companies to ascertain whether the occasion concerncd would be suitable for inclusion in their general releases. In each signatory country the task of liaison should be given in accordance with a rota, established in agreement with all the news-reel companies, to one of their number. The company selected should, through the appropriate Government Departments, receive from the other Treaty Signatory Powers for use by all newsreel companies in its own country and should send all coverage by the newsreel companies of its own country to the newsreel companies in the other Signatory Powers. Such procedure would be outside the limits of present commercial arrangements.
" In view of the fact that the exchange of newsreel films would promote the cultural aims of the Brussels Treaty, and as such exchange is impeded by numerous factors whose elimination can more effectively be achieved by newsreel producers in association than as individuals, the Permanent Commission recommends that the signatory countries take the necessary action to encourage newsreel producers to establish at an early date a single organisation representing all organised newsreel producers of the five signatory countries (a recognised producer being defined as one who has for at least 104 successive weeks produced newsreels and screened them). "
" In view of the fact that, although newsreel films are composed in accordance with the instructions of the managing directors of the newsreel companies, the production is nevertheless supervised by Newsreel Editors, necessarily working in relative independence, and taking into consideration the desirability of fostering the idea of unity among the Brussels Treaty countries by means of newsreel films produced in the countries concerned and covering, as far as possible, events which underline the ideal of unity, the Permanent Commission recommends that a meeting on an annual basis of the Newsreel Editors of the countries signaquetory to the Treaty should be organised and that the first such meeting should take place at an early date. "
" It is desirable t h a t the managers of newsreel companies of the five countries should meet in order to study measures by which obstacles, particularly of a commercial nature, to the development and exchange of newsreel films between the five countries may be eliminated. "
" The five Governments are roquested to take initiative in informing newsreel companies of any itemps likely to enable the people in each country to become acquainted with the life of the other countries of the Brussels Treaty ".
There exist in all five countries film units, financed either by government or by various private bodies, which pursue educational, moral, cultural, religious and technical aims. National catalogues of non-commercial films made by film units such as these in oach of the five countries, now in course of preparation, will eventually be collated into a joint catalogue which should provide a valuable screen survey of the conditions of life within the Western Union countries.
The catalogue will cover films illustrating the intellectual and artistic life of each country, scientific research, films for vocational guidance and professional training, the national economic and social life and each country's contribution to international life in the economic and social spheres.
The five Governments arc further studying the possibilities of reducing customs formalities to a minimum, of priority in the allocation of currency for the acquisition of non-commercial films, the creation of a contrai organisation in each country and eventually a joint international organisation and the solving of difficulties of copyright, adaptation, reprinting, etc.
has been discovered, for instance, that certain of the five countries are stronger than the others on non-commercial films on specific subjects such as the visual arts and child welfare. The intention is, wherever possible, to fill in the gaps and complete the Five Powers' supply of films on such subjects. Visits of specialists and technicians in the production and distribution of non-commercial films are also envisaged within the coming year, in order that methods and conditions may be studied to the mutual advantage of film production in all five countries.
Recommendations have been approved by the Permanent Commission and submitted to the five Governments for the necessary action to be taken as follows :
" I n view of the fact that the free circulation of non-commercial films would assist in promoting the aims of Article I I I of the Brussels Treaty and that the imposition of Customs is likely to hinder the development of films intended for non-commercial distribution, it is desirable that this category of films be exempted from Customs duty and that Customs formalities be reduced to a minimum.
The Permanent Commission therefore recommends that the five Governments take the necessary action. "
For the purpose of the implementation of this resolution, as also in the case of newsreels, a joint meeting of customs and cultural experts is shortly to be held in order to discuss the definition of the term " non-commercial distribution and exhibition " established by the Non-Commercial Cinema Sub-Committee. On the basis of this definition it will then be possible to devise a system of reciprocal customs exemption.
" Although films intended for non-commercial distribution can play a very important part in the implementation of Article I I I of the Brussels Treaty, and could particularly contribute to the development of cultural relations between the signatory countries.
It has been noted that, in this connection, commercial agreements do not always make provision for the financial facilities necessary for the acquisition or exchange of these films.
The Permanent Commission therefore draws the attention of the governments concerned to the desirability of giving priority to noncommercial films in allocations of currency. "
The implementation of this resolution has not so far given rise to difficulties.
" The Permanent Commission submits the following recommendation to the five Governments :
" The countries signatory to the Brussels Treaty are requested at once to take all measures likely to ensure non-commercial distribution in their country of a certain number of films produced in the other signatory countries relative to the aims of Article I I I of the Brussels Treaty. In order that such distribution may be as wide as possible, without, however, hampering in any way possible commercial distribution, all necessary measures, and in particular financial and fiscal measures, should be taken with a view to making possible the acquisition or exchange of these films, the dubbing i n ' t h e language or languages of the country, the making of copies, etc.
It is desirable that, within a year, reports should be made showing, in respect of each contracting country, the results that have been obtained during the proccding. year. "
" The Permanent Commission,
" In view of the fact that the exchange of non-commercial films between the signatory countries necessitates a great deal of co-ordination of documentation and possibly of distribution within each country, and.
" That, further, this effort of co-ordination on the national level will load very shortly to the necessity of co-ordination on the international level,
" Recommends that the signatory countries should appoint or establish a body to be responsible, each as far as that particular country is concerned, for such co-ordination on the national level, and expresses the wish that the organisation of a central joint body for co-ordination between the various national bodies should be studied. "
" I n view of the fact that the inadequacy of existing information and the lack of uniformity with regard to the registration of film titles and scenarios, and with regard to copyrights, dubbing and adaptation rights, may be a hindrance t,o the acquisition and exchange of non-commereial films, it is recommended that an enquiry on this subject be undertaken in each country on the basis of a questionnaire sent out by the Belgian delegation on the Brussels Treaty Sub- Committee on Non-Commercial Films who will assemble the replies with a view to submitting a general report on this question. "
" The Permanent Commission has noted that the Newsreels Sub-Committee of the Brussels Treaty has demonstrated its desire for coordination by a first joint manifestation of the signatory countries, and that an exchange is proposed between the Netherlands and Belgium of a film showing family life, in particular the activities of young people.
The Permanent Commission now invites the Governments of the signatory countries to take all the necessary steps with a view to the production of a non-commercial film which would show the peoples of the other countries, and in particular the young people, scenes from the family life, school life and activities of youth movements; this film would be conceived according to a joint plan, in order to make a complete series which would constitute for other countries a first example of the co-operation between the signatory countries in the production, exchange and distribution of non-commercial films."
" The Permanent Commission recommends to the five Governments that,
" À system for the regular interchange of advance information about the production of non-commercial films between the Five Countries be established along the following lines :
" Each country should circulate to the other countries information on any film which is planned which might be interesting from the point of view of the application of Article III of the Brussels Treaty.
" Such information should be submitted on the index card prepared by M. Lebrun for films already in existence. "
" The Permanent Commission submits the j following recommendation to the Governments :
" In view of the fact that certain subjects relative to the aim of Article III of the Treaty i of Brussels have been covered in the productions | of non-commercial films in some countries and ! not in othors, and since the provision of a more j complete range of films on such subjects reflecting activities in all the Five Countries would be of great value, it is recommended that action be taken to ensure the provision of such a complete range of films on two such subjects, ! namely the visual arts and child welfare. To I this end, a study should be made of the existing i films produced in the Five Countries on these ! subjects. On the basis of the results of such a i study, the Permanent Commission invites each ! of the governments signatory to the Brussels Treaty to examine t h e possibility of undertaking the production of such non-commercial films as are necessary to complete the Five Power supply of films relating to these two subjects. "
" The Permanent Commission recommends j to the five Governments,
" That each country signatory lo the Brussels Treaty should send non-commercial film specialists and technicians to the other countries within the coming year, in order that such specialists or technicians may each make studies of conditions in the production of non-commercial films in the countries they visit. "
In view of the already existing informal consultations between the Broadcasting orga- | msations of the five countries (Five Power ! Radio Commission) the Five-Power Cultural j Committee early stressed the importance of a liaison between it and this Radio Commission,
As a result, after discussion with the radio organisations concerned, a recommendation from the Cultural Committee was approved by the Permanent Commission to the effect that one of the heads of delegations from the Cultural Committee should in future attend meetings of the Five-Power Radio Commission. As a result of the last such meeting each broadcasting organisation has undertaken, in its broadcasts for young people, to increase the information on youth in the other four countries, and further to devote certain broadcasts to the national life of the other four countries.
The Cultural Committee also early stressed the importance, from a cultural point of view, of obtaining a joint definition which would lead to joint programmes in the five countries.
As a result of a resolution to this effect put up by the Cultural Committee, the Permanent Commission approved a joint meeting of television and cultural experts which was held in London on 10th and 11th January.
The experts examined a proposal submitted by the Belgian Government which drew the attention of the other four Powers to the difficulties caused by the adoption of different standards of definition in their television systems.
The experts recognised that, although the exchanges of television programmes between the five countries could be effective without a common standard of definition, nevertheless, such a common standard would greatly facilitate the full development of these exchanges and would provide other advantages.
The present development of television in France, the Netherlands and Belgium is of such a nature that the difficulties to be overcome and the sacrifices to be made in order to reach agreement on common standards are bound to increase considerably during the coming months.
More particularly, the French, Luxembourg and Netherlands experts recognised that the adoption by the Continental Powers of the Brussels Treaty, prompted by the concern expressed by the Belgian Government, of common standards of de n n i t i o n — standards the use of which could be extended to other European countries — might justify the sacrifices which certain countries would have to make.
The meeting, expressed ihe hope that the five countries of the Brussels Treaty, will come •to an agreement on common standards.
During its discussions, the meeting took note of the fact that standards of definition are already the subject of examination elsewhere, notably by the International Consultative Committee of Radio-diffusion.
The meeting agreed that contact established in London ought lo be maintained by further meetings.
A resolution recommending to the five governments that civilian and military experts of thé five countries should study the question of co-operation in the. protection of monuments and objects of cultural value in time of war is resulting in a joint meeting, to be held on 1st March in London on this subject.
A very successfull course for about 60 teachers from the countries of Western Union took place at Ashridgc in August, 1949. This was the first of a series of such courses, the next one of which will be held at Sèvres, France, in August 1950. It is hoped to maintain a certain continuity in the studies undertaken during these courses and to this end a number of the Ashridge delegates will be included in the Sèvres course.
One of the results of the course has been the projected compiling of a handbook for teachers in all categories of education in the five countries, containing advice and information on how to bring the children they teach towards a better understanding of the principles which undcrly their common civilisation and towards a better knowledge of each other.
At the course, groups of teachers were formed to study the influence of language, history, the arts and sciences in Western European civilisation. Two further groups examined the influence of the family and the problems of education and livelihood.
In oi'der that the results of these studies might be collated and utilised, a Steering Committee was formed which has already submitted a valuable report on the course. It will have a further meeting before the course in France in 1950.
Following on the first successful visit of educational inspectors from the Five Countries which took place in the United Kingdom in the spring of 1949, the French Government is organising a similar course in April, 1950, further details of which will be given later.
In november, 1949, senior Government officials from the Five Countries attended a twoweeks' course in London. Subjects for study were the machinery of government in the United Kingdom with special reference to the structure, and organisation of the Executive, Cabinet Government, Parliamentary Control, the Civil Service, local government relations with the central government. Visits to Departments and discussions with the individual officers were planned as part of the course as well as a two day visit to Local Government.
An analogous course in France will be held in 1950.
These courses have been organised with a view to establishing closer relations between those operating the machinery of government in the five countries. The object of the courses is to provide personal contacts between government officials of the Five Powers at all appropriate levels, to provide for discussion of questions of common interest, and to ensure that a sufficient number of officials in each country become familiar with the machinery of government in the other four.
Some of the most valuable work so far in the application of Article III of the Brussels Treaty has been undertaken by this Sub-Committee, whose recommendations have already produced good results.
Joint Activities began in 1949 with a walking tour in Luxembourg for youth hostel members of the Five Countries and with a Youth Camp in Cornwall. For 1950, France has invited educationalists and leaders of youth movements who wish to learn about the new techniques of active education, to attend a course at Saint-Cloud for two weeks at Easter. The Netherlands will act as host to 25 youth leaders at the end of July 1950. Belgium will invite 65 university students of the Five Countries, who will study means of co-operation between the students of the Five, the financing of university studies, social security for students and the possibilities of exchanges.
France and Belgium have already granted appreciable reductions in railway fares for students and a complete schedule of all existing transport privileges in the other countries is being drawn up. In each of the Five Countries a co-ordinating centre has been set up between the A'arious organisations dealing with exchanges of young people in order to facilitate these exchanges.
A joint pamphlet is to be published giving all information for young people wishing to travel between the Five Countries. This brochure, which will be published in French, English and the Netherlands language, will give all details regarding passport formalities, customs regulations, currency, including pocket money and group funds, foodstuffs, the transport of bicycles, etc., questions of health and insurance and finally, the possibilities of accommodation offered by public authorities, youth movements or private associations.
The British Council has undertaken to continue for another year the joint Calendar of Congresses taking place in the Five Countries, i. e. two further editions. The Calendars have so far been found useful both by the Ministries of Education in the Five Countries and by UNESCO.
Bilateral agreements have already led to a measure of mutual recognition; the ultimate aim is to extend recognition to all Five Countries.
So far a very satisfactory measure of understanding lias been reached among the Continental countries. It can now be reported that one of the two remaining obstacles to the completion of the network of equivalence amongst t h e four continental countries has been removed through the signature by the Universities of the Netherlands of the text for the recognition of the French " baccalauréat " as equivalent to the Netherlands national certificates.
Belgium and Luxembourg are endeavouring to overcome the difficulties which prevent satisfactory arrangements being made between them with regard to the equivalence of their national certificates.
Differences between the Continental University systems and the British University system make it impossible at present for Great Britain to be included in the arrangements made between the continental countries, but the British Universities, fully aware of the necessity of encouraging students of the four other countries, have indicated clearly the conditions on which students from these countries may pursue unjversity studies in Great Britain.
Reply to M. Guy MOLLET'S Question whether all the Cultural achievements under the Brussels Treaty are suitable for extension to the Council of Europe or only, certain of them, the rest resulting from Conditions Peculiar to the Brussels Treaty Signatory Powers.
As culture, in its very nature, should be universal, it is clear that all the achievements of the five countries in this sphere are in principle suitable to be extended to other European countries. However, it should be borne in mind that in practically all subjects results can more easily and more quickly be attained between a limited number of states than between a larger number. Experience has shown that, even amongst a limited number of states, it is often difficult to overcome obstacles of a monet a r y and financial nature in order to achieve concrete results.
Furthermore, if it is difficult for five Powers, which are more or less like-minded and closely linked by conditions and region, to achieve concrete results, it is still more difficult for a larger number of countries .which are neither of the same region nor live under more or less similar conditions, to do so.
The Cultural Committee some time ago examined which cultural subjects amongst those which had been the object of study under the Brussels' Treaty might profitably be dealt with in t h e wider framework of the Council of Europe either immediately or at a later stage. The results of this examination are quoted below for information.
(i).The free movement of persons.
(ii) The free flow of cultural materials.
(iii) The circulation and exchange of news items of permanent interest, taken from newsreels.
(iv) Non-commercial films and particularly exchange of information about films produced; also the possibility of occasional meetings of commercial film experts and technicians (the shortage of expert personnel may however present a very real difficulty in this respect).
(v) The equivalence of diplomas. (It is recommended that the study should at present be restricted to the equivalence of first degrees.)
(vi) General youth questions.
(vii) Educational matters such as courses of teachers, and inspectors.
(viii) Exchange of State Papers and other government publications.
(i) Courses for government officials.
(ii) Protection of works of art in war time.
(iii) Broadcasting (the Committee took account of the possibility of t h e setting up of a new European broadcasting organisation in view of the difficulties encountered in t h e existing international organisation).
(iv) Television.
At its Meeting of the 2nd June, 1949, t h e Permanent Commission adopted the following resolution (see Document No. A/295) :
" The Permanent Commission, at its meeting of the 2nd June, having taken note of the explanatory statement submitted to it by the Cultural Committee and of the latter's thorough study of the economic, financial and administrative obstacles which still exist to the exchange of books and periodicals between t h e Five Countries, believing t h a t it is essential for the application of Article 3 of the Brussels Treaty that the principle of the free circulation of books and periodicals be respected, recommends to the Five Governments :
The Five Governments examined this Resolution and. communicated their views to the Secretary- General; as regards the first part of the Resolution, these can be summarised as follows :
Since the 30th September, 1949, books may be imported from all non-hard currency countries, and therefore from France and the Netherlands, under open general licence. The British authorities will endeavour to obtain the extension of this relaxation to Belgium and Luxembourg.
Periodicals may only be imported under licence but provided the periodicals are written wholly in a language other than English, licences can easily be obtained for imports from the Brussels Treaty countries.
It is evident that the monetary restrictions in existence in the Five countries do not permit the principle of " free circulation " to be carried out in its full literal sense. The quotas at present provided for, however, in the commercial agreements concluded between the Netherlands and Belgium, Luxembourg, France and the United Kingdom, are happily such that the import of books and periodicals into the Netherlands is practically unhindered.
The French Government added books and periodicals to the list of commodities whose free exchange was proposed to the member states of 0. E. E. C. This list is to be the subject of negotiations taking place before the end of the year. As from 28th December, 1949 books from the other 4 countries can be freely imported.
There arc no restrictions to the entry of books or periodicals into Belgium; it is therefore unnecessary to take any special measures to put this Resolution into effect.
There are no obstacles to the entry of books or periodicals into Luxembourg; there is thus no need to take special measures to implement this Resolution.
The Secretary-General points out that, taken as a whole, the foregoing reports show that the conditions necessary for a free exchange of books and periodicals between the Five countries as originally envisaged in the Resolution have not yet been fully achieved.
In the circumstances, it would seem that supplementary measures are necessary to remedy a state of affairs, the continuation of which would not be in accordance with the Resolution adopted by the Permanent Commission.
As regards the second part of the above-mentioned Resolution, the Cultural Committee, having re-examined the question of selling prices at its meeting on the 5th October, 1949, denned clearly t h a t it was normal profit margins which should be adhered to. It was decided that each Delegation would draw up a report on t he current selling price of foreign books and periodicals in their respective countries.
The Cultural Committee recommended that, after a collective report has been drawn up, each Government should attempt to remedy any unsatisfactory state of affairs which might be found to exist. This collective report will be compiled in the near future.
At the next meeting of the Committee in London, on 28th March 1950, each Delegation will report on the results obtained in this field.
(See Document No. A/408)
At a meeting on 2nd June, 1949, the Permanent Commission adopted the following resolution (see Document No. A/294) :
" The Permanent Commission,
having taken note of the study being undertaken by the Cultural Committee of the Five Powers of the question of the removal of obstacles to the free circulation of works of art,
recommends, pending the conclusion of this study, that in the forthcoming commercial negotiations between two or more of the Five Powers, quotas should be provided for the acquisition of contemporary works of art (canvases, paintings, sculptures, etc ".
This resolution has been considered by the Governments and as a result the Secretary- General has received statements from the Five Governments which can be summarised as follows :
The United Kingdom Government have recently revised their policy with regard to the import of contemporary works of art.
The position now is t h a t open individual licences are available to dealers for the import of paintings, drawings and engravings by contemporary artists from any country, so that the question of providing quotas hardly arises. The treatment of sculptures is at present under discussion.
The Netherlands Government will, in concluding commercial agreements with the countries of the Brussels Treaty, take the resolution concerned into account, provided that the other signatories will do likewise.
Imports and exports of contemporary works of art produced since 1800 require either an import or an export licence issued by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. There are no real obstacles to the free circulation of works of art and these have not hitherto been specified in any of the commercial agreements concluded by Belgium.
The Belgian Department of Foreign Trade is studying the possibility of, in future, adding contemporary works of art to the list of articles to which the most favoured nation clause will not apply.
As commercial agreements are concluded on behalf of the Belgo-Luxembourg Economic Union, the application of the resolution is therefore a matter of co-ordination with the Belgian Government.
The French Government are prepared to apply the principle of the resolution in concluding commercial agreements with the countries of the Brussels Treaty, but in the absence of new agreements in negotiation no action has as yet been taken.
(see Document No. A/408)
At its meeting on June 10th 1949, the Permanent Commission adopted the following Resolution (see Document No. A/308) :
« The Permanent Commission,
having considered the proposal of the Cultural Committee with regard to the financing of cultural activities in the framework of the Brussels Treaty;
recommends to the Governments : to inscribe in the various national budgets a credit under the heading « Application of Article 3 of the Brussels Treaty », in order to ensure the proper functioning of the sub-committees preparing the tasks of the Cultural Committee, as well as the application of measures of cultural co-operation approved by the Permanent Commission ».
This Resolution was considered by the individual Governments and as a result the Secretary- General received statements from the five Governments which can be summarised as follows :
It will not be possible for the United Kingdom Government to inscribe in its national budget a credit under the heading " Application of Article 3 of the Brussels Treaty. "
The position is that the activities arising out of Article 3 of the Treaty are financed by several Departments of His Majesty's Government, and it would not be administratively practicable to include this expenditure in the estimates of a single department. However, the assurance is given that all the departments concerned are aware of the importance of the Brussels Treaty cultural work;
In the draft budget for 1950 of the Ministry for- Education, Arts and Sciences, a sum of 10.000 guilders has been provided for the application of Article 3 of the Brussels Treaty.
Provision will be made for this item in the next budget and, in the meantime, existing credits will be used for this purpose.
In the budget estimates for 1950 of the Minist r y of Education a sum of 100,000 Luxembourg francs has been provided.
A sum of 200,000 Belgian francs has been provided in the budget estimates for 1950 of the Ministry of Education.
The Scandinavian Cultural Commission was an important new body in the Scandinavian co-operation in the cultural field.
The Scandinavian Cultural Commission was the result of the initiative taken by the Scandinavian inter-parliamentarian meeting in Oslo in August 1946. It is, however, an organ that has come out of the cultural co-operation that was started already before the last war in the form of the meeting of the Scandinavian ministers of education in Copenhagen the 16th and 17th December 1938. This co-operation was continued during the meeting of the ministers of education in Stockholm from the 4th-6th November 1946. During this meeting the question of Scandinavian co-operation regarding studies and examinations in the universities and other institutions for advanced studies was taken up. I t was then agreed that the initiative for continued handling of these questions was the responsibility of the Swedish government. The proposal that was forwarded from the Scandinavian interparliamentarian association as to the appointment of a Scandinavian cultural commission (or cultural council) was taken up at the above-mentioned meeting in Stockholm. It was agreed that such a council ought to be appointed and to consist of two members from each of the Scandinavian countries.
The constituent meeting took place in Oslo in June 23rd-24th 1947. At the time Finland and Iceland had not yet appointed their members of the Commission. Finland, however, was represented at the meeting. At this meeting it was stressed that the Scandinavian Cultural Commission should be consultative, although this does not mean t h a t it shall limit itself to general declarations. The Commission shall put forward concrete proposals. During this meeting other Scandinavian co-operation in the field of research was treated.
In the Scandinavian countries extensive reform work is going on and many committees are working. Scandinavian co-operation in the field of maritime research is planned by experts. The Cultural Commission has furthermore considered the exchange of lecturers and teachers between the universities and other institutions for higher education, exchange of students, allotment of valuta for cultural purposes, the right to requisition books and printed material in the neighbour countries for scientific libraries, exchange of teachers and pupils and fellowships for students who wish to study in Scandinavian countries etc.
The Commission has likewise planned a cultural yearbook thatis meant to give up-to-date information in the cultural field and about the inter- Scandinavian student-exchange.
Moreover the Commission took up the problems of exchange and distribution of Scandinavian literature, co-operation in the field of fien arts, music and theatre. Later on the Commission dealt with a long range of other problems among which can be mentioned the question of a committee to treat Scandinavian linguistic problems, a Scandinavian university periodical, textbooks in the history of Scandinavian literature, a history of the cultural co-operation in Scandinavia and co-operation to further the of Scandinavian languages in the British universities.
The Norwegian delegation to the Scandinavian Cultural Commission issued invitations to a conference on literature in Oslo during the month of May 1950 to consider Avhat could be done to increase the reading knowledge of the Scandinavian languages in the different countries. It was the intention to instigate a wider reading of Scandinavian literature in t h e original languages.
The exchange of fellowships between the universities and other institutions for higher education has lately been moulded into more firm forms. The Norwegian Ministry for Church and Public Instruction has made provision for the year 1950/51 for two Swedish, two Danish, one Icelandic and one Finnish fellowship. The Swedish and Danish fellowships are intended to be given on an exchange basis. A number of medical, dental and other students have by the good-will of the Swedish authorities been permitted to take their examinations in the universities and other institutions of higher education in Sweden.
Scandinavian legislative co-operation in the field of intellectual work was started eleven years ago and the work to set up an inter-Scandinavian law which has been going on in the Scandinavian Commission will shortly bo put before the parliaments.
In the field of meteorology, Denmark, Norway and Sweden have together directed a station in the North Atlantic consisting of two meteorological ships. This co-operation is based on an international convention that was signed in London in September 1946 and renewed in May 1949. Within the field of international broadcasting the Scandinavian countries have already from the beginning had an extensive co-operation. In addition to the Scandinavian radio conferences, the several sections within the programme services meet every other year. The radio conferences and the meeting of the programme sections have resulted in co-operation in the fields of music, song, lectures, recital, theatre and broadcasting for schools. The broadcasting for schools has especially endeavoured to teach the children to understand the languages in the other Scandinavian countries. The joint programme that is now decided is so extensive that the broadcasting will have more t h a n enough to do to carry it through during the next few years.
The Contracting States,
Considering that the free exchange of ideas and knowledge and, in general, the widest possible dissemination of the diverse forms of self-expression used by civilisations are vitally important both for intellectual progress and international understanding, and consequently for the maintenance of world peace :
Considering that this interchange is accomplished primarily by means of books, publications and educational, scientific and cultural materials ;
Considering t h a t the Constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation urges co-operation between nations in all branches of intellectual activity including " the exchange of publications, objects of artistic and scientific interest and other materials of information " and provides further that the Organisation shall "collaborate in the work of advancing the mutual knowledge and understanding of peoples, through all means of mass communications and to that end recommend such international agreements as may be necessary to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image; "
Recognise that these aims will be effectively furthered by an international agreement facilitating the free flow of books, publications and educational, scientific and cultural materials ; and
Have, therefore, agreed to the following provisions :
ARTICLE I
ARTICLE II
ARTICLE III
ARTICLE IV
The Contracting States undertake that they will as far as possible :
ARTICLE v
Nothing in this Agreement shall affect the right of Contracting States to take measures, in conformity with their legislation, to prohibit or limit the importation, or the circulation after importation, of articles on grounds relating directly to national security, public order or public morals.
ARTICLE VI
This Agreement shall not modify or affect the laws and regulations of any Contracting State or any of its international treaties, conventions, agreements or proclamations, with respect to copyright, trademarks or patents.
ARTICLE VII
Subject to the provisions of any previous conventions to which the Contracting States may have subscribed for the settlement of disputes, the Contracting States undertake to have recourse to negotiations or conciliations, with a view to settlement of any disputes regarding the interpretation or the application of this Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII
In case of a dispute between Contracting States relating to the educational, scientific or cultural character of imported materials, the interested Parties may, by common agreement, refer it to the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation for an advisory opinion.
ARTICLE IX
ARTICLE x
The States referred to in paragraph 1 of Article IX may accept this Agreement from... Acceptance shall become effective on the deposit of a formal instrument .with the Secretary- General of the United Nations.
ARTICLE XI
This Agreement shall come into force on the date on which the Secretary-General of the United Nations receives instruments of ratification or acceptance from ten States.
ARTICLE XII
ARTICLE XIII
Any Contracting State may, at the time of signature or the deposit of its instrument of ratification or acceptance, or at any time thereafter, declare by notification addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations that this Agreement shall extend to all or any of the territories for the conduct of whose foreign relations that Contracting State is responsible.
ARTICLE XIV
ARTICLE XV
The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall inform the States referred to in paragraph 1 of Article IX, as well as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, and the International Trade Organisation (provisionally, its Interim Commission), of the deposit of all the instruments of ratification and acceptance provided for in Articles IX and X, as well as of the notifications and denunciations provided for respectively in Articles XIII and XIV.
ARTICLE XVI
At the request of one-third of the Contracting States to this Agreement, the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation shall place on the Agenda of the next session of the General Conference of that Organisation, the question of convoking a meeting for the revision of this Agreement.
ARTICLE XVII
The Annexes of this Agreement and its Protocol are hereby made an integral part of this Agreement.
ARTICLE XVIII
(i) Printed books.
(ii) Newspapers and periodicals.
(iii) Books and documents produced by duplicating processes other than printing.
(iv) Official government publications, that is, official, parliamentary and administrative documents published in their country of origin.
(v) Travel posters and travel literature (pamphlets, guides, time-tables, leaflets and similar publications), whether illustrated or not, including those published by private commercial enterprises, whose purpose is to stimulate travel outside t h e country of importation.
(vi) Publications whose purpose is to stimulate study outside the country of importation.
(vii) Manuscripts, including typescripts.
(viii) Catalogues of books and publications, being books and publications offered for sale by publishers or booksellers established outside the country of importation.
(ix) Catalogues of films, recordings or other visual and auditory material of an educational, scientific or cultural character, being catalogues issued by or on behalf of the United Nations or any of its Specialised Agencies.
(x) Music in manuscript or printed form, or reproduced by duplicating processes other than printing.
(xi) Geographical, hydrographical or astronomical maps and charts.
(xii) Architectural, industrial or engineering plans and designs, and reproductions thereof, intended for study in scientific establishments or educational institutions approved by the competent authorities of the importing country for the purpose of duty-free admission of these types of articles.
The exemptions provided by Annex A shall not apply to :
(i) Paintings and drawings, including copies, executed entirely by hand, but excluding manufactured decorated wares.
(ii) Hand-printed impressions, produced from hand-engraved or hand-etched blocks, plates or other material, and signed and numbered by the artist.
(iii) Original works of art of statuary or sculpture, whether in the round, in relief, or in intaglio, excluding mass-produced reproductions and works of conventional craftsmanship of a commercial character.
(iv) Collectors' pieces and objects of art consigned to public galleries, museums and other public institutions, approved by the competent authorities of the importing country for the purpose of duty-free entry of these types of articles, not intended for resale.
(v) Collections and collectors' pieces in such scientific fields as anatomy, zoology, botany, mineralogy, palaeontology, archaeology and ethnography, not intended for resale.
(vi) Antiques, being articles in excess of 100 years of age.
(i) Films, filmstrips, microfilms and slides, of an educational, scientific or cultural character, when imported by organisations (including, at the discretion of the importing country, breadception casting organisations), approved by the competent authorities of the importing country for the purpose of duty-free admission of these types of articles, exclusively for exhibition by these organisations or by other public or private educational, scientific or cultural institutions or societies approved by the aforesaid authorities.
Newsreels (with or without sound track), depicting events of current news value at the time of importation, and imported in either negative form, exposed and developed, or positive form, printed and developed, when imported by organisations (including, at the discretion of the importing country, broadcasting organisations) approved by the competent authorities of the importing country for the purpose of dutyfree admission of such films, provided that free entry may be limited to two copies of each subject for copying purposes.
(iii) Sound recordings of an educational, scientific or cultural character for use exclusively in public or private educational, scientific or cultural institutions or societies (including, at the discretion of the importing country, broadcasting organisations) approved by the competent authorities of the importing country for the purpose of duty-free admission of these types or articles.
(iv) Films, filmstrips, microfilms and sound recordings of an educational, scientific or cultural character produced by the United Nations or any of its Specialised Agencies.
(v) Patterns, models and wall charts for use exclusively for demonstrating and teaching purposes in public or private educational, scientific or cultural institutions approved by the competent authorities of the importing country for the purpose of duty-free admission of these types of articles.
Scientific instruments or apparatus, intended exclusively for educational purposes or pure scientific research, provided :
(i) Books, publications and documents of all kinds in raised characters for the blind.
(ii) Other articles specially designed for the educational, scientific or cultural advancement of the blind, which are imported directly by institutions or organizations concerned with the welfare of the blind, approved by the competent authorities of the importing country for the purpose of duty-free entry of these types of articles.
The Contracting States, in the interest, of facilitating the participation of tho United States of America in the Agreement on the Importation of Educational, Scientific and Cultural Materials, have agreed to the following :
If, as a result of the obligations incurred by a Contracting State under this Agreement, any product covered by this Agreement is being imported into the territory of a Contracting State in such relatively increased quantities and under such conditions as to cause or threaten serious injury to the domestic industry in that territory producing like or directly competitive products, the Contracting States, under the conditions provided for by paragraph 2 above, shall be free, in respect of such product and to the extent and for such time as may be necessary to prevent or remedy such injury, to suspend, in whole or in part, any obligation under this Agreement with respect to such product.
Before any Contracting State shall take action pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (a), above, it shall give notice in writing to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation as far in advance as may be practicable and shall afford the Organisation and the Contracting States which are Parties to this Agreement an opportunity to consult with it in respect of the proposed action.
In critical circumstances where delay would cause damage which it would be difficult to repair, action under paragraph (a) above may be taken provisionally without prior consultation, on the condition that consultation be effected immediately after taking such action.
Considering the importance to the Member Countries of a rapid application of the results of scientific research and technical development for the sake of maximum efficiency in industry and for economic recovery;
Having regard to the increased expenditure of most countries on such research and development ;
Considering that maximum benefit can only be obtained in the common interest if information on, and resulting from, such research and development, is shared by the Members of the Organisation to the greatest possible extent;
Considering that this sharing of information would constitute a concrete step in the furtherance, by Members, of their obligations under the Convention for European Economic Co-operation of 16th April 1948, under Article 2 thereof;
In view of Article 13 (e) of the said Convention; and on the proposal of the Working Party No. 3, on matters of Scientific and Technical Information ;
Recommends to Members :
the establishment and maintenance of indexes of the documents received; and
the examination of the documents, their notification to interested parties and their distribution (in the original text or, subject to paragraph (v) below, after reproduction, translation, abridgement, etc.), to specialised libraries, information bureaux and other centres where they may be freely available to the public and particularly to scientists and industrialists directly concernedIn order to facilitate the implementation of this Recommendation, the Members shall inform the Organisation as far as possible by the 28th November 1949 of the name and particulars of the agency nominated by them and of the estimated volume of the material which the Member proposes to make available to other Members under these arrangements.
The compilation of national surveys of documentary resources and of technical information services;
The compilation of national registers of the leading experts of the research units in each of the principal scientific and technical fields ;
The inclusion, in each technical document, of a summary of its contents;
The full utilisation of the classified indexes of research theses wherever available;
The taking of appropriate steps to secure that translations of important technical documents already available in one Member country should be made known to all other Member countries, and in so far as this may be possible, the compilation, in each Member country, of an index of scientific and technical translations which will enable enquiries from groups or individuals in any of the Member states to be answered ;
Co-operation with UNESCO, in particular in the preparation of multilingual technical dictionaries ;
The study of now techniques for the reproduction and publication of scientific and technical documents, with a view to the adoption of the best;
Study of the latest technical developments for the mechanical handling and selection of information, e. g. by means of perforated cards, mechanical, optical, or photo-electric selectors.
Having regard to Articles 2, 8 and 9 of the Convention for European Economic Co-operation of 16th April, 1948;
Recognising that, through scientific research and technical development, economic and social progress can be achieved;
Desirous of initiating measures to overcome the national limitations imposed by the financial, technical and manpower resources of each Member country with regard to large-scale research and development;
Desirous that a programme of co-operative research be established without delay between the Members, and
On the proposal of the Working Party No. 3 in matters of Scientific and Technical Information;
Decides :
The first regular academic session of the College of Bruges is to begin in the autumn of 1950, and will last approximately 30 weeks, i. e. a complete academic year. There are 40 places, open to graduates of Western Europe as well as to those in exile from Eastern Europe.
It is expected that the places will be allocated as follows :
Austria - 1
Benelux countries - 5
Eastern countries (exiles) - 3
Eire - 1
France - 5
Germany (Western) and the Saar - 5
Great Britain - 5
Greece - 1
Italy - 5
Scandinavian countries - 5
Spain - 1
Switzerland - 2
Turkey - 1
40 places
The general expenses of the College are to be covered by Belgian subsidies. The students will defray the cost of board and lodging (accommodation is being provided in the same hotel for both students and professors); these will not exceed 50,000 Belgian francs. Steps are being taken by the competent authorities in the various countries to provide scholarships for students.
The lectures are intended for post-graduates, not more than 30 years old, particularly lawyers, historians and economists, who have the necessary qualifications and who are willing to put their services at the disposal of Europe.
The method of selecting the students will vary in the different countries, but relations have been established with the authorities concerned — universities, federalist student organisations, and the National Councils of the European Movement.
So that non-European nations may send students who are interested in the problem of European union to the College, the participation of ten " observers " is being considered.
The College of Bruges has set itself the task of preparing the future leaders of Europe. The syllabus has been planned as follows :
These sections are each expected to occupy a term's course of lectures.
During the term well-known European specialists are to direct the studies at Bruges. They will be expected to organise seminars or studygroups in addition to giving a course of lectures. At the same time prominent lecturers, some of whom have already promised their support, are to give lectures on European problems.
At the end of the year a diploma will be awarded to those students who have completed the course satisfactorily.
The College of Europe will be administered by a Board of Governors, composed of representatives of European institutions and intellectual circles. The Director is Professor Hendrik Brugmans, and he is to be assisted by M. Henri Van Effenterre. The names of the professors are to be published later.
During the whole academic year, a language teacher will aid the French speaking students to perfect their English, and vice versa, especially in the terminology of the sciences taught by the College. These lectures will permit students to study the common origins of the Western languages.
As an outcome of the debates which took place on the 8th and 9th May 1948 at the Hague, a Cultural Resolution was unanimously adopted by the Congress of Europe. It proposed " the establishment of a permanent body to consider, inter alia, the nature and constitution of a European Cultural Centre ".
This permanent body, the Cultural Section of the European Movement, was formed in the autumn of 1948 under the chairmanship of M. Salvador de Madariaga.
One of the first tasks of the Cultural Section was to consider ways and means of bringing the Centre immediately into being. From preliminary enquiries it appeared that Switzerland, for obvious geographical and historical reasons, was the most suitable country for its headquarters. Moreover, the neutrality of the Swiss Confederation, if an obstacle to other forms of direct collaboration with the European Movement, nevertheless allows the Swiss to devote themselves to cultural activities.
At the same time the Cultural Section studied the functions and activities of the Centre. It soon became evident that a preliminary stage was necessary before the projects could be carried out. On the one hand, the National Councils of the European Movement, and their cultural study groups, had to be given the opportunity of expressing their opinions on an organisation for which they were acting as representatives in their respective countries; on the other hand it was necessary to create some permanent body which could proceed immediately with the preparatory work.
Taking these requirements into account, the Cultural Section submitted proposals to the European Movement which were adopted without reservation by the Executive Committee on 5th February 1949 at a meeting in Paris.
As a result of those decisions, a " Bureau d'Études " of a European Cultural Centre was opened in the Palais Wilson, Geneva, on the l 5 t h February 1949, under the direction of M. Denis de Rougemont, a member of the Cultural Section, with M. Raymond Silva assisting him as Secretary General.
Funds obtained in Switzerland have hitherto enabled the Bureau d'Études to operate on a very modest scale. If the European Cultural Conference decides to set up the Centre, it will bo necessary to call in the future on other sources so as to ensure that the future organisation is adequately equipped for carrying out its new tasks.
The more important aspects of the work of the Bureau d'Études during the past seven months are given below.
Preparation of a card-index of European Cultural Institutes; bibliography of reviews and periodicals dealing with European questions or striving for European federation; investigation of cultural conditions in t h e U. S. S. R. and the satellite countries (translation of Soviet documents on culture).
In the sphere of co-ordination : arrangements for periodical conferences of directors of European Institutes, preparation of a European year-book of Institutes, congresses, meetings, lectures, etc.
Publication of a brochure on the Bureau d'Études and of first trial copy of " Nouvelles de l'Europe "; weekly broadcasts " To-morrow Europe " on the Swiss national radio. Various lectures by the Director and the Secretary- General of the Bureau d'Études (Swiss universities, the Sorbonne, " Cité universitaire de Paris ", etc. etc.). Numerous articles in newspapers throughout Europe, interviews, press conferences. Information on Europe, for the Movements and for various isolated research workers in Europe and America. Plans for an illustrated review to be published in America, the material for which will be supplied by theBureau d'Etudes, and for a first-class European review. Preparation of two films about Europe (a long spectacular film and a documentary) ; study of several plans concerning the problem of education in Europe which have been requested or submitted.
Submission of suggestions and proposals to the Cultural Committee of the Consultative Assembly.
IGuiding principle : To unite all intellectual, moral and spiritual forces of Europe so that they may contribute in the awakening of the conscience of Western Europe, which is the very condition of the union of her peoples. It is precisely this union alone that can save our national cultures.
Action : We are planning three main spheres of activity.
The programme outlined above is ambitious; it obviously cannot be carried out within the framework of the Bureau d'Etudes for a European Cultural Centre as it stands to-day. It is thus for the Lausanne Conference to decide, once the policy for the cultural forces within the European Movement has been defined, whether the Bureau d'Études is to be transformed into a European Cultural Centre.
One of the first tasks of the Centre will be to support the recommendations voted by the Cultural Committee of the Strasbourg Consultative Assembly at its meeting in August. The Committee of Ministers, which did not endorse the Assembly's recommendations at its meeting held on the 5th November, has instructed the Secretariat-General of the Council of Europe to prepare a report and to postpone consideration of these questions until the next meeting. The Standing Committee of the Assembly, which met a few days later, requested the Cultural Committee to take up again the study of all its proposals. They will lead to concrete results only if public opinion, duly aroused, exerts pressure through the big associations, trades unions and parties on the members of the Consultative Assembly who cannot view with favour the rejection of the majority of their recommendations by the Committee of Ministers.
The fundamental condition of European recovery is that a European consciousness should be born among the peoples of Europe and that they should be led to acknowledge their common loyalty to the civilisation on which Europe's greatness is based, and which forms what may be called the European way of life. The entire activity of the future European Cultural Centre must be directed towards the achievement of this purpose.
" To whatever party or whatever country we belong, we realise that the present crisis in Europe involves something deeper than our own economic and political systems. It involves a belief in Man and in Freedom which is, in the last analysis, our true common heritage. Only on such a basis can the sure foundations of this Union be laid ". These words are taken from the cultural report submitted to the Hague Congress in May 1948; the experience of the last eighteen months has given them added weight. Now, more than ever before, it is necessary to create a permanent Institution for the co-ordination and stimulation of all the spiritual forces scattered throughout Europe. That will be the task of the European Cultural Centre.
" Meeting under the authority of the Council of Europe, the Committee of experts designated by the Governments of the Member States of the Council of Europe to examine the Recommendations made by the Consultative Assembly in the cultural field
" Desires to place on record the following general remarks before reporting its conclusions to the Committee of Ministers.
" The Committee considers it most valuable for the promotion of understanding and collaboration between the European nations that the Assembly should have paid so much attention to the cultural problems of Europe. It also considers that the Recommendation made by the Assembly drew attention to the immediate tasks to be achieved.
" To have machinery which can deal with problems without waste of time and money and avoid duplication of work in the European cultural field, the Committee thinks it necessary that a practical form of collaboration should be established between the Council of Europe and UNESCO. The Committee believes that negotiations should be opened between the Council of Europe and UNESCO with the object of taking advantage of the work of UNESCO and other international organisations in the cultural field in Europe so that immediate tasks and longterm planning may be performed in the light of common and constructive effort.
" The Committee also considers t h a t it would be wise, in general, to avoid trying to cover too wide a field at once through the medium of general treaties or arrangements. It also considers t h a t very Araluable results have been achieved through bilateral negotiations and that this method is effective in producing positive results.
" It is in the spirit of this Resolution that the Committee turns to consider the principal part, of the Agenda."
The Committee submitted the following recommendations :
N.-B. — In order t h a t the material mentioned in paragraph 1 may be exchanged without delay, the Committee of experts decided that these exchanges should be completed before the 1st August 1950, the Secretariat-General to receive a copy of all documents.
The Committee recommended that Governments be invited :
The Committee proposed that the question should not be overlooked as to whether the formation of the European community did not entail a certain balance between the Anglo- Saxon or Germanic languages and the Latin languages when foreign languages were taught.
The Committee submitted the following recommendations :
The Committee of experts considered the problem of the revision of textbooks dealing with history and geography.
It recognised the contribution which such a work could make towards bringing out the links which united the peoples of Europe. It also recalled the efforts made in this field by the various European countries, as well as the work accomplished by UNESCO.
While recognising t h a t it would be undesirable to undertake the preparation of textbooks to be used in several countries, the Committee submitted the following recommendations :
The Committee submitted the following recommendations :
The Committee took note of the large number of scholarships already in existence for students in European countries and considered it desirable, but not indispensable, that there should be a system of reciprocity regularised by formal agreements. The Committee emphasised the exceptional value of these scholarships in achieving the aims of the Council of Europe.
The Committee submitted the following recommendations :
The Committee emphasised the part played by broadcasting in forming public opinion and recognised that the requirements of wireless audiences differed widely from country to country, a fact which rendered the immediate establishment of a European wireless station undesirable.
The Committee submitted the following recommendations :
N.-B.
The Committee recognised the valuable work being done in this field by the International Museums Council and UNESCO in drawing up a list of reproductions of works of art and encouraging their publication and dissemination.
The Committee made the following recommendations :
The Committe considered the desirability of convening a meeting of the Ministers of Education of Member States and was of the opinion t h a t the present state of the work did not justify it in recommending a special meeting of this nature.
The Committee considered that the present state of its work did not justify a recommendation in favour of a meeting of University Vice-Chancellors.
The Committee considered this proposal taking into account its financial implications and its staffing problems. Attention was also called to the administrative difficulties which would have to be faced.
The Committee was of the opinion that, in the circumstances, advantage should be taken of the efforts already made in several countries to set up centres of training and of European studies. In addition, it considered t h a t it would be desirable to co-ordinate the work of national institutions established by some states in the territory of other Members of the Council. It also considered the proposal of the Netherlands' delegation advocating that national institutions should be encouraged to develop along thenown particular lines without, however, implying specialisation in the different spheres of culture.
The Committee decided to set up a subcommittee to consider carefully the problems which had been raised.
The following items were not included in the original Agenda of the Committee but were added during the course of discussion in accordance with the statement made by the Chairman in opening the meeting.
The following proposal was presented by the Italian delegation :
" That the Member States of the Council of Europe bo invited to undertake, with t h e assistance of the Secretariat-General, the necessary studies for the adoption of a cultural identity card similar to that already created by the Brussels Treaty Powers."
The proposal was approved.
The following proposal was presented by the Belgian delegation :
" The Committee of cultural experts,
" Considering t h a t the study and application of the various measures for ensuring cultural co-operation within the Council of Europe will entail additional work and further expenditure,
" Desiring to ensure that the decisions taken are rapidly put into effect,
" Proposes that the Consultative Assembly recommend the Governments concerned to make available to the qualified administrative bodies or institutions the financial and other means necessary to enable them successfully to fulfil t h e new tasks confronting them."
The proposal was approved.
The following proposal was submitted by the Belgian delegation :
" The Committee of cultural experts,
" Considering that to ensure propagation of the idea of European unity among the broad masses of the people, it is necessary to encourage exchanges of directors of youth movements and of institutions of popular education, in addition to social and medical helpers,
" Emphasises the importance of organising special courses for their benefit as well as of examining the equivalence of qualifications of directors of extension classes, and of social and medical helpers,
" Suggests that there should be an exchange of all the relevant documents on this subject and that a specialised organisation be entrusted t o make a comparative study of the reports received, so as to decide how qualifications may be recognised and exchanges brought about, and what gaps remain to be bridged."
The Committee held a short preliminary discussion and approved the suggestion of the Belgian delegation that further consideration should be deferred to a future meeting. The Belgian delegation was asked to circulate a more detailed paper before the next meeting of the Committee.
The Committee approved the following recommendation based on a proposal submitted by the French delegation and amended at the suggestion of the Norwegian-Swedish-Danish delegations :
The following proposal was presented by the French delegation :
" That Governments study as soon as possible the draft Agreement on the free circulation of educational, scientific and cultural material adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO at Florence, with the view of examining the possibility of speedy accession thereto."
The proposal was approved.