This issue of the bulletin is devoted to Culture. Even if only a minor part of the city spending is for culture, it is nevertheless an important and strategic issue.
Culture is important for the wellbeing of our citizens, and for the development of the city.
A city without an attractive cultural life will not attract much needed business or skilled work force in the new economy on the contrary, the city will slowly suffocate without intellectual stimulation from culture. The year 2000 is soon ended. It has, among others, been characterised by an increased recognition of the role of local authorities in the enlargement process in Baltic Sea Region. The voice of UBC is heard and it also gives results. We have for some time argued for the need of financing of small and medium sized cooperation projects between local and regional authorities.