(the author is president of Culturmedia, councilor delegated for Innovation at CoopCulture)
The next elections represent a crucial moment for the future of the European Union. More than ever, the importance of these elections is not only in the choice of representatives, but in defining Europe’s role in an increasingly complex global context. The stakes are high: from ongoing conflicts, to issues such as climate change, migration, pluralism, cultural participation, security and social equity.
Culture is the European asset that unites and balances the three transitions, the green one, the digital one, but also that of social cohesion. Unfortunately, very often electoral programmes, instead of insisting on this point with a holistic strategic approach, limit themselves to a few topical references.
Instead, we should rather protect and line up the achievements that we have achieved for the sector in recent years in Europe and thanks to Europe, and be able to convey their value with passion and vision in the electoral manifestos. I will mention just a few, very significant for me, which have generated important recommendations and regulations over the last decade, even if they did not then become – as they should be – integrated strategies.
The potential of cultural heritage for civic participation, through participatory governance that includes citizens and social actors and public administrations, in the general interest, a theme very dear to cooperation and activated by the Faro Convention. Furthermore, the inclusion of culture and cultural heritage in cohesion policies and therefore in European funds, thanks to the recognition of the impact of culture on dialogue, inclusion, its ability to heal territorial and social fractures. Third: the protection of the rights of creativity, of true information, of dignified cultural work, in the face of large digital platforms, and in the name of an awareness that only culture can provide. Fourth, the industrial strategy that recognizes Cultural and Creative Enterprises (CCI) as one of the 14 industrial ecosystems for the future of Europe. Finally, the protection and updating of cultural heritage for a green transition that starts from people, and is not just imposed from above.
A culture therefore that unites, that creates a network, that does not separate the beautiful from the ugly, the native from the foreign, excellence from marginality, the past from the vision of the future. A culture which is therefore rightfully one of the “European common goods”, according to the appeal contained in the Green Book “Let’s write the future of Europe together”, drawn up by the European Movement and signed by many candidates.
Culture plays a key role in strengthening European identity. Cultural diversity is one of the great riches of our continent, an element that not only distinguishes us but unites us. Investing in culture means investing in dialogue, mutual understanding and social cohesion.
But to define all this an essential element is needed: participation.
The many young people accustomed to growing up in the common and different European culture know this even better than us. Their participation in the vote will therefore be essential to ensure that the future of Europe does not crumble or become a mere sum of inequalities. in the hope that they actually do it!
