The European Commission presented last Thursday, June 18, its vision of a dynamic and integrated European cultural landscape with the launch of the Culture Compass for Europe.
This prospective framework is designed to shape EU cultural policy and ensure that culture plays a central role in fostering European identity, celebrating diversity, and promoting excellence.
In times of uncertainty and change, culture strengthens democracy, social cohesion, competitiveness, and resilience. This is also evident from the latest Eurobarometer on culture, which shows that 87% of respondents believe that culture and cultural heritage should take a prominent place in the Union, so that citizens feel more European.
According to the Commission’s statement, several new initiatives will be launched: among them will be a new EU Artists’ Statute, for fair working conditions for artists and cultural workers, a European Performing Arts Award, and a dialogue among cultural stakeholders. There are also plans for an EU cultural data center and a network of young cultural ambassadors to improve young people’s access to culture through a voluntary framework of national subscriptions for culture and cultural heritage. Additionally, an AI strategy for the cultural and creative sectors has been planned, along with an update of the European Union’s strategy on international cultural relations.
The commitments outlined in the declaration are organized around twelve general principles. Some of the principles focus on supporting artists and cultural professionals and include commitments to protect artistic freedom of expression, promote fair pay and decent working conditions, while respecting the role and autonomy of social partners, and fostering a human-centered ethics and rights-based approach in the use of artificial intelligence.
Other principles of the joint declaration aim to promote broader access to culture and cultural and creative professions, particularly for young people, vulnerable or marginalized individuals. They include commitments to improve inclusive access to culture, promote artistic education, and strengthen support for young artists and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The social and environmental benefits of culture are highlighted in the declaration. They are reflected in commitments to promote the positive effects of culture on health and well-being, harness the potential of culture to foster regional development, including through sustainable tourism, and emphasize the importance of culture in political responses to ecological challenges. The declaration also aims to promote the cultural and linguistic diversity of the EU. Furthermore, the three institutions commit to protecting Europe’s cultural heritage, including through the use of digital technologies to foster its preservation.
