The obvious is that culture and creativity is not a priority policy objective whether at national or European level. However there are encouraging signs. In March 2007 at the Brussels Council meeting Head of states and Governments requested the European Commission to take the creative industries into account in relation to its internal market policy.
Furthermore the European Commission is working on its communication on culture following the report on the economy of culture in Europe. The President of the European Commission Mr Barroso is talking about setting a cultural agenda for Europe. The EU is also celebrating the entry into force of the UNESCO convention on cultural diversity. Now that the creative industries have got the ears of the policy makers we might be for some good surprises in the months ahead. However we should be guarded from excessive optimism. This also means that we have to work hard – together – to ensure that creativity and culture is given the place it deserves in policy making and that the right policies are adopted.
It is against this background that I would like to make my contribution.
To download the PDF file of the full presentation including slides see home page www.keanet.eu.
You may be able to find an allay in the Slovenian growth minister. Check his blog at http://notes.zturk.com/
Posted by: Mark | 03 December 2007 at 21:46