15/04/2013 News
Strasbourg, 15.04.2013 – Culture is a “priceless treasure” which could be the key to unlocking a revival of the economy and even help to give a fresh start to Europe, Jean-Claude Mignon today told a gathering of European Culture Ministers in Moscow.
Chairing the first working hearing of the conference this morning, the PACE President said he was an optimist, noting that the right of access to culture, and the right of each person to take part in cultural activities, were core human rights “because they open the way for each individual to become fully aware of their own personal identity”.
The President suggested a number of possible avenues for further thinking, in particular as regards ensuring a system for protecting creative endeavour, especially on the internet. “The digital revolution is beneficial for the democratisation of culture, but the undermining of intellectual property rights is a looming threat to the creativity of tomorrow. We must continue to ensure young creatives can aspire to professional artistic work that is economically viable.”