A new strategy to place culture at the centre of EU international relations

The newly adopted ‘Strategy for international cultural relations’ complies with the Commission’s priority to make the EU a stronger global actor. Culture can play a crucial role in s...

The newly adopted ‘Strategy for international cultural relations’ complies with the Commission’s priority to make the EU a stronger global actor. Culture can play a crucial role in strengthening international partnerships.

The Strategy introduced by the European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy aspires stimulate cultural cooperation between the EU and its partner countries and promote a global order based on peace, the rule of law, freedom of expression, mutual understanding and respect for fundamental values.

The Strategy proposes a strategic framework for deeper and more effective international cultural relations as well as a new model for cooperation with Member States, national cultural institutes, private and public operators from the EU and its partner countries, increasing opportunities, creating synergies and maximising socio-economic benefits.

In the cultural and creative sectors, the EU has already funded many projects such as creative hubs’ networks or the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Cultures+ programme and the programmes to support cultural governance and promote intercultural dialogue. The Creative Europe programme is also open to neighbourhood and enlargement countries. Horizon 2020 also supports research on cultural diplomacy and activities on cultural heritage through multinational, interdisciplinary projects.

To help the EU implement the strategy and create synergies among all EU stakeholders (EU delegations, national cultural institutes and foundations, private and public enterprises, civil society), a Cultural Diplomacy Platform was set up in February 2016, focusing on strategic countries. Operated by a consortium of Member States’ Cultural Institutes and other partners, the Platform will deliver policy advice, facilitate networking, carry out activities with cultural stakeholders and develop training programmes for cultural leadership.

For more information about the newly adopted strategy, please visit the links below.

http://ec.europa.eu/culture/library/publications/2016-cultural-relations-communication_en.pdf

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1465397367485&uri=JOIN:2016:29:FIN