EN Official Journal of the European Union C 326/2

Council conclusions of 19 November 2010 on access of young people to culture

2010/C 326/02

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

1. RECALLING:

— the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 on key competences for lifelong learning, helping integrate culture in all learning activities in schools, youth organisations and training institutions,

— the Resolution of the Council of 16 November 2007 on a European Agenda for Culture (1) and its strategic objectives, as well as the conclusions of the Council on the Work Plan for Culture 2011-14 (2),

— the Council Resolution of 27 November 2009 on a renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field (2010-18) which states that young people’s creativity and capacity for innovation should be supported through better quality access to and participation in culture and cultural expressions from an early age, thereby promoting personal development, enhanced learning capabilities, intercultural skills, understanding and respect for cultural diversity and the development of new and flexible skills for future job opportunities,

— the Council conclusions of 27 November 2009 on promoting a creative generation: developing the creativity and innovative capacity of children and young people through cultural expression and access to culture, including six priorities.

2. WELCOMES:

— further knowledge on youth and culture, such as the study commissioned by the European Commission about access of young people to culture (3).

3. UNDERLINES:

— that access of young people to culture comprises two main aspects: young people as users, buyers, consumers and audience; and young people actively involved as active participants and creators of arts and culture,

— the importance of this for good cooperation between the field of youth and the field of culture,

— the importance of the knowledge, promotion, visibility and use of new information and communication technologies, including digitalisation of cultural content, for the purpose of increasing the access of young people to culture,

— that access of young people to culture is also about an experience of self-expression, personal development and confidence, innovation and creativity, enjoyment, and having an open mind to other cultures, including Europe's cultural heritage,

— the importance of the lifelong development of cultural competences of young people and all relevant stakeholders because it interlocks with other key competences,

— the relevance of culture as a means of promoting social inclusion, equality and the active participation of young people, as well as combating discrimination and poverty.

4. ACCORDINGLY INVITES AND ENCOURAGES THE COMMISSION AND MEMBER STATES WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE SPHERES OF COMPETENCE, TO:

— take into consideration all the recommendations of the above mentioned study,

— facilitate access of all young people to culture, reducing related obstacles as contained in the study (e.g. financial, linguistic, time and geographical constraints), taking into account the role of cultural and art education and training for all young people from an early age, in a lifelong learning perspective and by using targeted programmes,

— promote the development of long-term coordinated policies for access of young people to culture on all levels, with a clear youth perspective, for example by stimulating partnerships and contacts between the creative sector and stakeholders in the fields of youth, education and other relevant fields,

— deepen the knowledge on the access of young people to culture (e.g. via the Eurobarometer in the EU Youth report) and to support research in the field of youth cultures, creativity and cultural citizenship. In this context, it is important to define the needs of young people regarding their access to culture and to identify the evolution of cultural practices of young people,

— exchange and promote experiences, practices and information of all relevant stakeholders on all levels related to access of young people to culture, e.g. by stimulating learning mobility for all young people and youth workers and youth leaders, and through the use of ICT and the media,

— support quality education, training and capacity-building of youth workers and youth leaders, artists and other cultural workers, teachers and all other relevant stakeholders involved in the access of young people to culture,

— promote access of young people to culture as a means of promoting social inclusion, equality and the active participation of young people, as well as combating discrimination and poverty,

— promote the six priorities set out in the Council conclusions of 27 November 2009 on promoting a creative generation,

— make best use of existing relevant programmes, instruments and European networks (e.g. European Youth Card Association), including the European structural funds, in order to promote the above aims.

(1) OJ C 287, 29.11.2007, p. 1.

(2) To be adopted on 18 November 2010.

(3) Interarts EACEA/2008/01 (OJ 2008/S 91-122802).