EU: ADOPTION OF THE EUROPEAN AGENDA FOR CULTURE IN A GLOBALIZING WORLD

Awareness is growing that the EU has a unique role to play in promoting its cultural richness and diversity, both within Europe and world-wide. There is also acknowledgement that culture is an indispensable feature to achieve the EU's strategic objectives of prosperity, solidarity and security, while ensuring a stronger presence on the international scene.

Basis of the communication is an extensive consultation process with stakeholders. These consultations have confirmed that cultural stakeholders perceive that the time has come to move on ? from rhetoric to action. Further on, there exists consensus among Member States for greater cooperation.

Recurring to this information, the Commission was able to identify three major objectives to be pursued by the Commission, Member States and stakeholders:

?Promotion of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue;

?Promotion of culture as a catalyst for creativity in the framework of the Lisbon Strategy;

?Promotion of culture as a vital element in the EU's international relations.

This communication will permit to establish new partnerships and methods for cooperation with all stakeholders, and regular reporting mechanisms will allow to progress towards achieving these identified objectives. It also proposes a stronger and more visible external dimension, with a view to making culture an even stronger part of political dialogue with partner countries and regions, promoting cultural exchanges, and systematically integrating culture in development programmes and projects.