European cultural co-operation
Recommendation 1075
(1988)
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate on 4 May 1988 (4th and 5th Sittings) (see Doc. 5871, report of the Committee on Culture and Education, Rapporteur : Mr Günther Müller). Text adopted by the Assembly on 4 May 1988 (5th Sitting).
- Thesaurus
The Assembly,
1. Having noted the report of its Committee on Culture and Education on European cultural co-operation (
Doc. 5871) and the report of the Secretary General on progress of European co-operation in the field of education and training (
Doc. 5864) ;
3. Affirming the importance of cultural co-operation (including education, the arts, youth, sport, the media and the cultural heritage) on as wide a basis as is compatible with respect for :
- quality of life, cultural values and educational standards ;
- the diversity of the cultural heritage and individual and collective cultural identities ;
- freedom of thought and individual creative expression ;
4. Believing that the European Cultural Convention continues to be the best available instrument for such co-operation in Europe ;
5. Welcoming the clear statement made by the Committee of Ministers in the final communiqué of its 81st Session (26 November 1987) on co-operation between the Council of Europe and countries of Eastern Europe leading to ‘‘concrete projects for co-operation in selected fields of the Council of Europe's intergovernmental programme of activities'' ;
6. Welcoming the adhesion of Yugoslavia to the European Cultural Convention and other signs of openness on the part of East European non-member states, and reiterating its wish that other European non-member states be invited to adhere to the convention and participate in related activities such as ministerial conferences ;
7. Noting the emergence of other channels for European cultural co-operation, and in particular :
- the French ‘‘Blue Book'' proposals for variable geometry co-operation ;
- proposals by the Commission of the European Communities for a ‘‘fresh boost for culture in the European Community'' ;
8. Believing that a greater effort is called for on the part of the Committee of Ministers, governments and the Assembly itself, in order to ensure the continued dynamism of European cultural co-operation in the Council of Europe, and that resources should be increased, or at least more rationally managed, to this effect ;
9. Believing that the Council of Europe has a unique potential for interaction and co-ordination in the wider cultural field,
10. While welcoming the resolutions of the Committee of Ministers on European cultural identity (1985) and on European cultural co-operation (1986), asks the Committee of Ministers to give further consideration to :
a a better utilisation of the European Cultural Convention as the primary basis for European cultural co-operation ;
b the closer involvement of specialised ministers in the cultural activities of the Council of Europe ;
c increasing the impact of Council of Europe work in the cultural field ;
d the clarification of relations with the European Community in the cultural field ;
e the provision of proper financial resources for European cultural co-operation ;
11. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers, just like the Assembly, give priority, when developing cultural co-operation both in ministerial conferences and in intergovernmental activities, to co-operation with European non-member states and, in matters of worldwide or intercontinental co-operation, collaborate closely with the appropriate international bodies ;
12. Recommends, furthermore, to the Committee of Ministers that, with regard to the Intergovernmental Work Programme :
a this work programme be determined in its own terms with reference to the objectives of the Council of Europe and European cultural co-operation, irrespective of what is carried out by other international organisations ;
b where other organisations carry out similar activities, these activities be better co-ordinated, in particular through the intervention of member governments, with those of the Council of Europe ;
c activities relating to the cultural heritage and the media be opened to all member states of the European Cultural Convention, as is already the case with activities relating to education, the arts, sport and youth ;
d greater emphasis be placed on internal co-ordination and on interdisciplinary subjects ;
e sectorial activities be maintained (but with a more rapid turnover), and more regular working contacts established between the Secretariat, government ministries and non-governmental organisations ;
f emphasis be placed not only on reflection and action by the Council of Europe, but also on encouraging or initiating activities to be developed by other bodies ;
g more recourse be made to outside experience to supplement the Council of Europe Secretariat and to handle follow-up to completed activities.
