Hongaars voorzitterschap: cultuur kan helpen in strijd tegen economische crisis (en)

“Culture and the related industries, can greatly contribute to intelligent, sustainable and inclusive growth,” stressed Géza Szocs, Minister of State for Culture, and the Ministry for National Resources, at the informal meeting of EU Ministers for Culture in Gödöllo, on 28 March. Member State representatives, discussed culture’s contribution to the Europe 2020 Strategy, copyrights and online cultural contents.

Acting as the chair of the informal meeting, Géza Szocs pointed out, “We are convinced that the cultural sector will help Europe recover from the current crisis.” The Minister of State highlighted that according to the 2010 competitiveness report, culture and the related creative sector, account for 3.3 percent of the EU’s total GDP, and 3 percent of jobs, which is why they belong to the most dynamic industries in the Union. Mr Szocs stressed that in the light of data, “Culture contributes, both directly and indirectly, to European integration in the fields of economic potential, employment, social development and cohesion, innovation and knowledge based society. This is why the Hungarian Presidency has identified this issue as a priority,” the Minister of State added.

Speaking on behalf of the European Commission, Androulla Vassiliou i, EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multi-lingualism, and Youth stressed that, “Culture and the creative sectors, belong to the most dynamic industries in Europe.” The Commissioner added that, “There is a need for more local and regional subsidies for cultural development, and for greater cross-border cooperation.” The Commissioner spoke about future funding opportunities. In this context, Member State representatives, pointed out that culture must not fall victim to the crisis. Infact, it could help us recover from it.

Member State ministers exchanged their experience about the EU level measures they believe, should boost efficiency in the cultural sector. They identified some areas within the cultural sector, which they feel, should undergo further improvement and investments, in order to meet the set objectives.

Copyrights and online contents

The participants advocated the proper regulation of copyrights, and stressed the importance of the fight against piracy, and the protection of cultural values. In respect of the online distribution of creative contents (films, television and radio programmes, music, online publication and games), Andrulla Vassiliou, declared that the Commission will publish its Green Paper later this year. Member States indicated that they expect solutions, which provide the public with a legal, wide, and diverse supply of online contents, along with decent payment for authors. Several Member States proposed to cut taxes on intellectual properties, such as books, and to promote and increase awareness of their digital publication.

Digital agenda

The participants emphasised that culture plays a key role in the priority initiatives, launched under the aegis of the Europe 2020 Strategy, such as the European Digital Agenda. Specifically, a single digital market should be set-up for the free distribution of cultural and creative online contents. The participants also mentioned the need to reinforce Europeana, the EU’s open digital library, under the Digital Agenda, in order to facilitate the digitisation of cultural heritage. The participants also stressed that Europeana, greatly contributes to the preservation of cultural diversity.

Presidency ambitions

In connection with the Presidency’s priorities, Mr Szocs underlined that the main aim, is to adopt the Council’s closing document (conclusions), at the meeting of the Council for Education, Youth, Culture, and Sport, which will take place in Brussels, on 19-20 May. The Minister of State added that the draft versions are still under debate, while the results of the present meeting in Gödöllo, will also be included in the document. Mr Szocs made the Presidency’s ambitions clear: “We would like to formulate the most comprehensive, well-grounded, and clearest message possible, for decision makers and cultural agents, in the European Union and Member States.” He added that “We also want Europe’s cultural and linguistic diversity to remain sustainable, and suitable for further reinforcement; and to make equal access to culture, guaranteed for everyone.”

Making culture’s economic impact measurable

The Hungarian Presidency, issued a summary statement on the results of the informal meeting, held in Gödöllo, and of the expert conference, “The Contribution of Culture to the Implementation of the Europe 2002 Strategy,” held in Budapest, between 28 February and 1 March. Géza Szocs presented the document, at the follow-up press conference.

According to the Presidency’s statement, cultural ministers should make their governments include culture in their national development strategies. The Presidency called on Member States, and the European Commission, to support programmes, which could make the economic impact of culture and creativity, measurable. The document called on Member States to promote cooperation, and the exchange of experience, between the affected industries and the private sector; as well as, between Member States and the Commission.

The last section of the statement requests the Commission, to look at ways to consider culture’s contribution, to the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy, when making draft budgets and policy proposals in the EU. Mr Szocs emphasised, “It is almost a cliché that culture is an investment, in the future.” After a proposal was made at the meeting in Gödöllo, to establish a development and investment bank specialised in culture, the Minister of State told the press conference, that the issue could be discussed at one of the Council’s following meetings.