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Resolution 2123 (2016)
Culture and democracy
1. Economic and social difficulties,
exacerbated by terrorist attacks and the consequences of political instability
in neighbouring regions, are deeply affecting the lives of people
in Europe. People’s fears and lack of confidence correlate with
the erosion of social bonds and the deterioration of established
values and create fertile ground for anti-democratic and xenophobic
movements to further radicalise and divide society.
2. In this context, the Parliamentary Assembly urges much stronger
recognition of the role that culture can play in upholding democratic
principles and values, and building inclusive societies. It stresses
that democratic institutions and laws will not work effectively
unless they build on a democratic culture.
3. Culture is a source of intellectual renewal and human growth.
Active participation in cultural activities helps people to acquire
a critical mind, to develop a broader understanding of different
world views, to interact with others, to have a voice and to define
their role in society.
4. Education policies generally focus on providing professional
skills and knowledge targeted at economic needs, while personal
development has been to a large degree neglected in recent decades,
even though it is a key element for personal and societal well-being.
The Assembly considers that education policies should be reviewed
and used as a driving force in today’s world of rapid change and
increasing complexity. Cultural education should play an important
part in this process, in particular to promote dialogue and mutual understanding,
and to strengthen solidarity and respect for human rights.
5. The Assembly insists that sustained investment in education
and cultural activities must be given equal priority with investment
in the economy, infrastructure, security and all other areas seen
as crucial to Europe’s global economic competitiveness and stability.
6. The Assembly therefore recommends that the parliaments and
governments of the member States of the Council of Europe:
6.1. uphold the right of everyone
to participate in cultural life as a core human right, seeking to
offset barriers which hamper the access to culture for women, young
people, minorities, migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and other
vulnerable groups;
6.2. promote the diversity of cultural expressions and cultural
pluralism as positive factors for innovation and development;
6.3. secure sustainable funding for cultural policies and develop
strategic thinking at the interministerial level on ways to mainstream
culture into other policy areas such as employment, research and
innovation, social services and welfare, health, prisons and penitentiary
rehabilitation schemes;
6.4. foster partnerships between the cultural sectors (cultural
institutions and individual artists) and the education system, including
formal education and lifelong learning, to promote the understanding
of freedom of expression, respect for diversity and the development
of intercultural competences from a very early age;
6.5. strengthen the role of local authorities in promoting
and implementing cultural policy and pilot initiatives, by reviewing
the existing mechanisms (allocation of powers, legal structure,
co-financing, etc.) to bring decision-making processes regarding
culture as close as possible to the citizen, and ensure co-ordination
between different levels of government in the implementation of
cultural policy;
6.6. support innovative urban policies by investing in the
cultural infrastructure of cities, especially in disadvantaged urban
areas;
6.7. increase public participation in the definition of cultural
policies and involve interested citizens and non-governmental organisations
committed to promoting inclusion, non-discrimination and democratic values
in the management of cultural institutions;
6.8. measure cultural vitality and evaluate its impact on the
democratisation of society and the appreciation of human rights,
as a way to evaluate policies, making use in this respect of the
Council of Europe’s Indicator Framework on Culture and Democracy
(IFCD);
6.9. in co-operation with the Council of Europe and the European
Union, seek partnerships to develop shared cultural and diversity
strategies and pilot projects which stimulate cultural exchange;
6.10. actively support and financially contribute to the implementation
of the Council of Europe Action Plan on Building Inclusive Societies
(2016-2019).
7. The Assembly recommends that the Steering Committee of the
World Forum for Democracy devote one of the next forums to “culture
and democracy” in order to promote innovative policies and the exchange
of good practices in this field.