Cultural policies in Europe

Recommendation 680 (1972)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 20 October 1972 (13th Sitting) (see Doc. 3185, report of the Committee on Culture and Education). Text adopted by the Assembly on 20 October 1972 (13th Sitting).

The Assembly,

1. Having noted the report of its Committee on Culture and Education on cultural policies in Europe (Doc. 3185) ;

2. Noting with interest the results of the Intergovernmental Conference on Cultural Policies organised by UNESCO in Helsinki from 19 to 28 June 1972 ;

3. Welcoming the fact that this conference led, irrespective of political or ideological differences, to an increased awareness of a joint share in the cultural heritage of Europe ;

4. Recalling, in this connection, Recommendation 521 (1968) in which it advocated "an overall multilateral policy aimed at restoring the cultural unity of all Europe'' ;

5. Noting, however, that despite an admirable spirit of understanding and cooperation, the Helsinki Conference was unable to conceal a profound divergency of principle between the concept of a monolithic culture handed down by the State with the prime emphasis on control and supervision, and a liberal conception stressing cultural diversity and freedom of expression ;

6. Believing that the member States of the Council of Europe would benefit if they took concerted action to find ways of furthering cultural co-operation and, at the same time, considered the problems which they share, with particular reference to preparations for the European Conference on Security and Co-operation ;

7. Considering that the urgent need for action makes desirable the use of existing structures and, in particular, the CCC, which might consider, on behalf of the Committee of Ministers and the Assembly, what policy on cultural and educational co-operation should be suggested to the member States with a view to the coming European Conference on Security and Co-operation ;

8. Noting also that the results of the Helsinki Conference on Cultural Policy make it more desirable than ever that a European Conference of Ministers responsible for cultural policy in the member States should be set up, and recalling in this connection Recommendation 649 (1971) and the position adopted by the Committee of Ministers itself in Resolution (61) 41 in which it considered that "conferences of Ministers of Education, and of Cultural and Scientific Affairs, can be a powerful stimulus for strengthening such co-operation",

9. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers :

a invite the Council for Cultural Cooperation to consider the prospects for cultural co-operation between the countries of Eastern and Western Europe ;

b consult the Assembly on the CCC report before taking any definite decisions, making particular use of the Joint Committee for this purpose ;

c reconsider, in the light of the results of the Helsinki Conference on Cultural Policy, point 13 (b) of Recommendation 649 (1971) on the setting up of a Conference of Ministers responsible for cultural affairs in the member States, whose purpose would be to stimulate a long-term programme of cultural development and to urge the adoption by member States of a policy on communications.