The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament hosted a conference on 'Culture as a Dynamic Social and Economic tool' in Brussels today.
S&D MEP Petra Kammerevert, co-ordinator of the Parliament's culture and education committee opened the conference, and then the two panels of the conference 'Impact of culture on social and human capital' and 'Cultural and aesthetic education as a catalyst for social and economic development' were moderated by S&D MEP Silvia Costa, Chair of the Parliament's culture and education committee, and S&D MEP Julie Ward. Read the programme here.
The conference was well attended by numerous representatives from the cultural and creative sector, other EU institutions and people interested in exploring the potential of culture in social and economic development. The debate with experts from the academic world, as well as world-known cinematography, revolved around the role of cultural and creative industries in the economic and social crisis, its impact on our everyday lives and well-being, social integration, active participation and the sense of common European identity, the role of culture and arts education, as well as how culture contributes to growth and job creation.
S&D MEP Petra Kammerevert said:
"Finding ways to increase culture consumption is not the only challenge for cultural policy, but determining ways of increasing active participation in the creation, use and dissemination of art and culture is another. Cultural education is needed for the personal development of people, their emotional stability, self-realization and identity. Development of reading skills, competence in dealing with imagery and body awareness develops an individual's competences in integration and participation, self-discipline, flexibility and the ability to work in a team. Cultural education gives people the ability to value and appraise their own life as well as the lives of others and understand the relevance of acquired knowledge.
"Cultural education promotes social empowerment and participation and qualifies people for the new challenges facing society. It thus makes a considerable contribution to economic and social stability."
S&D MEP Silvia Costa said:
"Culture and creativity must be more central to the "Europe 2020" strategy and become a priority on the political agenda of the new Commission and the Parliament. Multi-level policies which incorporate European cultural heritage, as a strategic resource, should be developed in conjunction with the creative and cultural industries in order to promote growth and job creation.
"Digital technology, the promotion of the movement of professionals and their works, investment in infrastructure along with new opportunities of European cultural tourism all represent very powerful instruments for social and economic growth and development."
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