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EHfC | 16 & 17 Nov 12 | Brussels Conversations 2012 on a Cultural Coaltion for a Citizens' Europe

Cultural Catch-up: the Brussels Conversations 2012 Discusses the Cultural Coalition for a Citizens’ Europe

Brussels Conversations 2012 on A Cultural Coalition for a Citizens’ Europe

A 2-Day Conference - 16 & 17 November

The European House for Culture together with the Marcel Hicter Association, the Access to Culture Platform, “A Soul for Europe,” and the Festival of Philosophy bring A Cultural Coalition for a Citizens’ Europe to Brussels.

The European House for Culture together with the Marcel Hicter Association, the Access to Culture Platform, “A Soul for Europe”and the Philosophy Festival, as well as its partners, organised the Brussels Conversations 2012 on 16/17 November 2012. It was the second of three events held in November to launch the initiative A Cultural Coalition for a Citizens’ Europe. Over 100 participants and 25 contributors from 28 countries around Europe and abroad were hosted by the Académie Royale de Langue et de Littérature Françaises de Belgique at the Palais des Académies. The conversations set the key action points to be developed during the European Year of Citizens 2013, discussing such topics as arts and culture bringing “added value” to citizenship, fear and resentment, and the state of democracy in Europe.

Citizenship in Europe

In his opening remarks, Luuk van Middelaar (Historian, Political Philosopher, Author and Press and Communication Collaborator with the European Council President Herman Van Rompuy) stated: “A common identity is always about self-identification with a group: you cannot force people to feel European.” This point highlights the aim of the Cultural Coalition that believes people have to discover their common identity through sharing and taking part in culture. It is the moment to change behaviour and support citizens to act as the owners of Europe, since the citizens are Europe.

The Brussels Conversations 2012 continued withfurther talks by Patrice Meyer-Bisch (Coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Institute for Ethics and Human Rights and UNESCO Chair for Human Rights and Democracy) and Alicja Gescinska (Philosopher and Writer).

An over-arching theme of the discussion was the responsibility of cultural actors, revealing that it is not only politicians that carry responsibility – cultural actors must also play their part. The crisis is an opportunity to put artists back in the spotlight, allowing them to create new and alternative narratives for our ways of life. These narratives are not just about “us” as Europeans, but also the construction of Europeanness in multi-cultural and transnational contexts.

A Cultural Coalition for a Citizens’ Europe

The initiative A Cultural Coalition for a Citizens’ Europe strives to make European policy and European citizens aware of their rights and responsibilities as Europeans: giving the European Year of Citizens 2013 a sense of urgency. Throughout the event the diversity of participants from various regions, professional, and cultural backgrounds allowed for stimulating conversations and establishing of goals for the future of citizenship in Europe. The Brussels Conversations 2012 further developed a working plan for the Cultural Coalition over the coming years:

Cultural Component of Citizenship: Access to Culture Platform Launched Publication

“The first research publication of the Access to Culture Platform entitled “The Cultural Component of Citizenship: An Inventory of Challenges” was published at the occasion of the Brussels Conversations. 19 renowned authors and researchers from all over Europe and the world share their insights on the opportunities and challenges related to developing citizenship in Europe through culture. Citizens are looking for coherence, meaning, togetherness and a prospect for the future. These are not available in the supermarket or from the desks of government offices,” said author and editor Steve Austen (Permanent Fellow Felix Meritis, Member Access to Culture Platform). The book is available in print and digital formats.

The Cultural Coalition was kicked off by a series of events: the Berlin Conference 2012 by “A Soul for Europe” on 10 November; the results of the progress made in Berlin were carried over to the Brussels Conversations 2012. The new perspectives will continue to the Amsterdam Conversations 2012 by the Felix Meritis on 30 November, setting the programme and content streams of the Coalition for 2013.

The consensus of the Brussels Conversations 2012 called for the creation of a new culture of politics, economics, and social life for the whole European sphere, and a new and inventive relationship between citizens and politicians stressing the need to move beyond a simple concept of citizen participation towards one of global responsibility. There is a need to trigger the co-responsibility and cooperation of politicians, business leaders, intellectuals, and artists in working towards a common future. We must all tap into our creative potential, moving away from short-term thinking towards a long-term vision that allows and fosters innovation and collaboration between all parts of society. The Brussels Conversations 2012 confirmed the need for more civic involvement across Europe and the willingness of the cultural sector to play a pivotal role in its development. 

The event was made possible thanks to the partnerships of theEuropean House for Culture its co-producers: the Marcel Hicter Association, the Access to Culture Platform, “A Soul for Europe” and the Philosophy Festival, as well as its partners: European Festivals Association (EFA), ENCATC, the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC), and euro|topics.

The 16 and 17 November will bring A Cultural Coalition for a Citizens’ Europe to Brussels.

Location: Palais des Académies Rue Ducale 1, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgique

A series of thought-provoking discussions on citizenship, cultural democracy and cultural rights produced by the European House for Culture, Marcel Hicter Association, the Access to Culture Platform, “A Soul for Europe and the Philosophy Festival.

In partnership with the European Festivals Association (EFA), ENCATC, European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) and Felix Meritis.

Festive moments with the 60th anniversary of the European Festivals Association and ENCATC’s 20th anniversary.

Hosted by the Académie Royale de Langue et de
Littérature Françaises de Belgique
.

The Brussels Conversations 2012 is the second in a series of three events dedicated to a Europe from the bottom up under the title of A Cultural Coalition for a Citizens’ Europe. Together they form “A Soul for Europe’s” kick-off to the European Year of Citizens 2013. The series includes the Berlin Conference 2012 by “A Soul for Europe” on 10 November, the Brussels Conversations 2012 event by the partners of the European House for Culture on 16-17 November, and the Amsterdam Conversations by the Felix Meritis Foundation on 30 November.

More on the Cultural Coalition for a Citizens Europe:  Join the Coalition!