No C 175/40 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 7. 88 
of access to Community transport for carriers in third 
countries should be seen in relation to the advisability 
and feasibility of equivalent concessions to Community 
carriers. Other sectors, such as tourism, offer encoura­
ging prospects in the shorter term. 
7. The Economic and Social Committee has always 
held the view that trade agreements concluded by the 
Community should include a social clause on the appli­
cation of fair labour standards, in accordance with 
conventions of the International Labour Organization 
(ILO). 
8. Finally, while it is satisfying to note the Soviet 
commitment to participate more in world trade and 
diversify its export markets towards the capitalist 
countries, in present circumstances it is to be feared 
that Soviet accession to the General Agreement on 
Done at Brussels, 27 April 1988. 
1. Introduction 
1.1. In late 1987, the Ministers of Culture announced 
that they intended to give a fresh boost to culture in 
the Community. 
Any half-heartedness or slowness to act on the part of 
the political authorities could jeopardize basic value 
such as liberty and democracy, quite apart from having Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the World Bank and the 
International Monetary Fund—however desirable— 
may still be problematic for a number of technical, 
procedural and perhaps even political reasons. A special 
study should be made of this question by the ESC at 
the appropriate time. 
9. Finally, noting that trade relations and economic 
cooperation between the Community and the European 
members of COMECON can and must improve consi­
derably, the Committee hopes for an early conclusion 
of negotiations on the 'joint declaration', and of those 
with individual COMECON countries, on the basis of 
mutual interest and of fair conditions for both sides. 
The Committee may follow up this Opinion with others 
relating to the text of the 'joint declaration', the bilate­
ral treaties with the countries concerned, or problems 
connected with Soviet accession to the GATT. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alfons MARGOT 
potentially serious economic and social implications. 
The Economic and Social Committee therefore supports 
the Ministers' decision and hopes that progress in 
creating a European cultural area will be swift and 
tangible. 
1.2. The Committee has consistently demonstrated 
its interest in cultural policy and activities. Opinion on the Communication from the Commission on a fresh boost forculture in the 
European Community 
(88/C 175/15) 
On 1 February 1988, the Commission decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, 
in accordance with Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, 
on the abovementioned Communication. 
The Section for Social, Family, Educational and Cultural Affairs, which was responsible for 
preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 14 April 1988. The 
rapporteur was Mr Burnel and the co-rapporteur was Mr Noordwal. 
At ist 255th plenary session (meeting of 28 April 1988), the Economic and Social Committee 
adopted the following Opinion by a majority, with two votes against. 
4. 7. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175/41 
1.2.1. It has delivered a number of Opinions (!) on 
cultural topics. 
1.2.2. The Committee has introduced cultural con­
siderations into Opinions and studies on other issues 
(including social developments, youth employment, 
protection of the environment and poverty). 
1.2.2.1. To cite one example, the Opinion on the 
Single Act (2) contains the following statement: "Mak­
ing a success of the Single Act poses a dual challenge 
(...) for the peoples of Europe, the challenge of affirming 
the value of a common heritage in terms of civilization 
and culture, by demonstrating their ability to establish a 
Community based on progress, solidarity and freedom, 
open to the world." 
1.2.3. The Committee has extended the remit of its 
Social Section to include family, educational and cul­
tural affairs. 
1.3. The Commission Communication is based on 
the three key components identified by the Ministers: 
the audiovisual sector, publishing and training. The 
Committee would make the following comments: 
2. General comments 
2.1. The Committee deeply regrets that it has had 
so little time to study the Commission document. A 
subject of such breadth and complexity cannot be dis­
missed with a few perfunctory generalizations. 
2.1.1. The Committee therefore reserves the right to 
make later additions to its Opinion as necessary. In 
particular the Committee may wish to include in its 
survey of the "cultural area" a closer look at the media 
and the promotion of the European audiovisual 
industry. 
2.1.2. The economic, social and cultural areas are 
inextricably linked. For the "European citizen" they 
constitute an abstract and material unity. 
2.2. It would be difficult to establish an all-embrac­
ing and irrefutable definition of "culture". The Com­
mittee would refer to the UNESCO definition which, 
being a kind of lowest common denominator, enjoys 
(') See in particular the Committee's Opinions on broadcasting 
(July 1987/cf. OJ No C 232, 31. 8. 1987); television without 
frontiers (September 1985/c/". OJ No C 303, 25. 11. 1985); tax 
measures in the cultural sector (OJ No C 344, 31. 12. 1985) 
and Community action in the cultural sector (OJ No C 128, 
21.5. 1979). 
(2) May 1987/c/". OJ No C 180, 8. 7. 1987, p. 1 to 6, § 7.5, 
paragraph 2. broad international consensus, and recognizes that cul­
ture is both diverse and universal. 
For present purposes, culture may be defined as the 
combined spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional 
characteristics of a society or social group. In addition 
to literature and the arts, it encompasses life-style, 
fundamental human rights, values, traditions and 
beliefs (3). 
2.3. Culture helps shape patterns of life, and struc­
ture the thought and behaviour of the individual and 
of society. Culture consists of a complex network of 
inter-personal and group relations, expressed in collec­
tive thought and memory and in the common signs and 
legacies which link one generation to the next, building 
up a sense of solidarity. 
Civilization, culture and society are therefore inter­
locking. 
2.3.1. The Committee would strongly argue that the 
debate on culture and the management of cultural 
resources should not be restricted to "insiders" (those 
whose qualifications, background and knowledge have 
conferred on them the status of cultural and intellectual 
authorities), to the "professionals" and to the financial 
sponsors. Consumers should always have a say in the 
production of goods and services; all the more so in the 
case of culture, where so much is at stake in terms of 
social issues and values. 
2.3.2. Culture is a right. This implies that there must 
be scope for choice (pace of development and forms of 
expression). 
2.3.2.1. If progress in the field of new technologies/ 
communications is to benefit society (by encouraging 
more responsible behaviour, autonomy, liberty etc.), it 
is necessary to protect the rights—and most importantly 
the right to be represented—of all those concerned, 
particularly users. 
2.3.3. The cultivation of an "elite" is not at odds 
with the over-riding duty to make culture in all its 
forms really accessible to all citizens, provided the elite 
gives a lead and uses it knowledge and talents to benefit 
(•5) Mexico Conference. 
No C 175/42 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 7. 88 
the community as a whole, without infringing the free­
dom of the individual. 
2.4. The new, single-frontier Europe will see an 
increase in population mobility and steps will have to 
be taken to preserve cultural identity (in education, for 
example). 
2.5. Budget constraints have forced culture ministers 
and the Commission to curb the pace and scope of 
their political plans. Whilst acknowledging that this 
pragmatic approach is in the interests of efficiency, the 
Committee would make three comments: 
2.5.1. The proposed measures form an overall pack­
age with implications for the future of "European citi­
zens" and, of course, for culture. 
2.5.2. As the Committee pointed out in its recent 
Opinion on making a succes of the Single Act (*), in the 
interests of efficiency, an overall scheme should be 
established first. Once this has been done, the time 
schedule and budgetary requirements of individual pro­
grammes can be decided on. The cultural programme 
must be given priority. 
2.5.3. Socio-cultural projects have been under way 
for some time in a number of Member States, and 
should be supported as they have a proven track record. 
As their work is directly in line with the Commission's 
ultimate objective, Community decisions and rec­
ommendations (e.g. on sponsorship) should not have 
the effect of reducing the funding of the organizations 
running these projects. 
2.6. The Committee applauds the Commission's pre­
liminary statement which is imbued with concern for 
the ideals of liberty, solidarity, dialogue and tolerance. 
2.6.1. The Committee welcomes the Commission's 
announcement that "it will be at particular pains to 
integrate the cultural dimension into the formulation 
and management of the various Community policies. 
This will mean improved interdepartmental coordi­
nation". 
2.6.2. The Committee has issued frequent calls for 
greater integration and coordination. 
2.6.3. Such integration and coordination will serve 
the interests of efficiency and bring a sense of unity to discussions and activities. They will also go a long 
way towards creating a unified geographical, economic, 
social and cultural environment for tomorrow's Euro­
pean citizen. 
3. Specific comments 
3.1. The framework programme proposed by the 
Commission for the period 1988 to 1992 comprises: 
— five projects, 
— sixteen activities for implementing the projects. 
3.1.1. The chart appended to this Opinion (2) shows 
how the programme is structured. Three comments 
immediately spring to mind: 
1. The Commission's programme is both practical and 
logical. 
2. These activities, however useful, vary considerably 
in nature and scope. This will affect the amount of 
political and public support they get, as well as the 
details of their implementation (financing, struc­
tures, training, information, time limits etc.). 
3. As the five projects are of perennial value, most of 
the associated activities will have to be continued, 
and possibly stepped up, even after the framework 
programme expires. 
3.1.2. To make cross-referencing easier, the Commit­
tee Opinion will follow the same lay-out as the Com­
mission document. As a number of projects and activi­
ties are linked in terms of cause and effect, it might have 
been better to base our discussions on the yardsticks of 
"knowledge" and "sensitivity" used by UNESCO in its 
definition of culture. We shall at least allow ourselves 
to be guided by these terms. 
3.2. Creation of a European cultural area 
3.2.1. Creation of an internal market for 
culture 
3.2.1.1. The prime objective of the framework pro­
gramme as a whole, and not just the four activities 
covered by this project, is to create a European cultural 
area, with the dual aim of achieving a market without 
frontiers and promoting the image of the European 
citizen. The opportunities opened up by the creation of 
the internal market should be exploited to the full so 
that Europe's culture "industry" can compete inter­
nationally. 
(!) May 1987/c/: OJ No C 180, 8. 7. 1987, p. 1 to 6. (2) See Appendix. 
4. 7. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175/43 
3.2.1.2. Politicians and economic and social interest 
groups should adopt a consistent approach at all levels 
(national, Community, Council of Europe and 
UNESCO). 
3.2.1.3. In order to improve cultural workers' living 
and working conditions, the Committee (which has 
already expressed its views on the subject) would ask 
that the survey of legislation affecting cultural work be 
expedited. 
3.2.1.4. In the interests of fairness, justice and soli­
darity it is time that cultural workers be given the social 
rights and tax status demanded by the nature of their 
work. 
3.2.1.5. The Committee obviously agrees that oppor­
tunities for attending and participating in cultural 
events should be developed, especially in rural areas. 
3.2.1.6. The spectacular rise of competitive culture 
"industry" is a key point which will be discussed further 
on. 
3.2.1.7. The Commission and Member States should 
combat the negative effects of economic practices which 
may restrict access to cultural activities (for example, 
cinema film distribution networks, discriminatory 
entrance fees for monuments and museums, etc.). 
3.2.2. Information on cultural Europe 
The Committee supports the proposed measures, but 
would stress that in the cultural sphere as elsewhere, 
uniform terminology is a prerequisite for unimpeded 
communication and for the use of statistics and survey 
results. Furthermore, information is only effective if up-
to-date and easily accessible. 
3.2.3. Business sponsorship 
3.2.3.1. In addition to the point made in 2.5.3, the 
Committee would make four comments: 
— If appeals to the public's generosity are to succeed, 
it is not enough for the cause to be a good one. 
Bureaucracy must be kept to a minimum and bodies 
responsible for collecting and managing funds must 
be tightly managed. 
— Small and medium-sized firms and industries, which 
are a driving force in the economy and society, 
should be encouraged to take part in sponsorship, 
as this will enhance their image. 
— Sponsorship should not be limited to the plastic 
arts, but should benefit all forms of cultural 
expression (e.g. literature). — Attention should be paid to the possibly harmful 
effects of some kinds of sponsorship (loss of inde­
pendence, distortions of the truth, publicity taking 
priority at the expense of culture, etc.). Joint spon­
sorship schemes could provide support for major 
Community-level cultural projects. 
3.2.4. A policy for publishing 
3.2.4.1. This complex issue will require special atten­
tion, in view of the changes brought about by new 
technologies. Although the cost and sales prices of 
books, records and other materials, and distribution 
conditions are all important considerations here, they 
are not the only ones. 
3.2.4.2. The Committee approves the Commission's 
intention to take action to protect authors' and pub­
lishers' copyrights. 
3.2.4.3. Publishing should be the subject of a broad 
study covering not only specific problems (VAT, repro­
duction etc.) but also the relations between publishing 
and other means of expression and dissemination (e.g. 
the press, cinema, television, telematics). 
3.2.4.4. The Committee welcomes the Commission's 
interest in the future of libraries and in particular calls 
for a study of programmes designed to protect the 
book stocks of European libraries and to promote the 
creation of a network of transnational libraries in the 
European Community. 
3.2.4.5. Ways of promoting the publishing of Euro­
pean anthologies should be studied. 
3.3. Promotion of the European audiovisuel industry 
The spread of television has made cultural events the 
focus of economic—and often also political—interests 
and activities. This tendency will intensify as the tech­
nological potential of television—and hence its effect 
on people's thinking and behaviour—is further 
developed and refined. Television has an unshakeable 
hold on every aspect of our private lives. 
This is undoubtedly the greatest challenge facing us 
today. Any failure or reluctance to act on the part of 
Europe could have a variety of untoward consequences. 
The Committee has already issued Opinions on some 
aspects of the audiovisual industry. It should undertake 
a study of the industry as a whole as soon as possible. 
For the time being, the Committee would reiterate the 
following recommendations: 
— The development and competitiveness of the Euro­
pean audiovisual industry should be geven priority, 
so that the character and independence of European 
culture can be preserved and the necessary balance 
No C 175/44 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 7. 88 
between economic, social, technological and cul­
tural aspects maintained. 
— Scientific and technological research should be con­
ducted at Community level into broadcasting, trans­
mission and reception. 
— European programmes, particularly those produced 
by young people, should be given every encourage­
ment. 
— Young people in particular should be 'taught' how 
to use television. After all, this medium provides a 
new way of reading and writing, and offers enor­
mous creative potential as it is varied yet not too 
demanding. One way of meeting the challenge 
would be to ensure that programmes are of high 
quality and encourage producers and viewers to 
approach their respective freedoms with a sense of 
responsibility. 
— A minimum quota system must be introduced for 
European productions. Already, the prevalence of 
undemanding US-made series, films and shows is 
not only endangering the cultural identity of people 
in Europe, but also, and above all, destroying the 
employment possibilities and jobs of creative media 
people in Europe (producers, actors, directors, etc.). 
And this pattern is liable to be even more marked 
in the future. 
3.3.1. A cinema and audiovisual arts 
academy 
The Committee welcomes this proposal but feels that 
other, more immediate activities should also be under­
taken, in connection with the European Year of cinema 
and television. The finances of the proposed academy 
should be subject to stringent controls. The involvement 
of user representatives would offer a guarantee of effec­
tiveness. 
3.3.2. An 'audiovisual charter' 
3.3.2.1. The Committee supports the proposal but 
would call for tight checks on financial resources. 
3.3.2.2. The meetings to be held during European 
Cinema and Television Year will of course be attended 
by a number of prominent figures from the world of 
cinema and television. The Committee would rec­
ommend that representatives of consumers, teachers 
and other interest groups also be invited to take part. 3.3.3. High-definition television pro­
grammes (European standards) 
3.3.3.1. The Committee agrees that this would con­
stitute an important step forward in terms of the quality 
of sound and image. It therefore welcomes the Com­
mission's support for technological research into an 
alternative system which would safeguard the interests 
of Community consumers, industry and manufacturing, 
and uphold European cultural values. 
3.4. Access to cultural resources 
The Committee agrees with the Commission's four 
objectives. Top priority should be given to improving 
knowledge of languages as a means of promoting access 
to the Community's cultural resources. On the subject 
of language, the Committee would ask that consider­
ation also be given to other vehicles of communication, 
starting with music. Music is enjoying widespread 
popularity owing to a revival of interest in learning to 
play an instrument and to technical developments in 
equipment for recording and listening to music. Dance 
and mime, as the physical expression of ideas, should 
also be taken into account. Music, dance and mime 
are all universal languages. The Committee hopes that 
cultural exchanges will be promoted in these fields. 
3.4.1. Improving knowledge of languages 
3.4.1.1. Multilingualism is vital as a means of com­
munication and a way of understanding how other 
people think. It should be promoted with all speed. The 
Committee would refer here to its Opinion on 'Making 
a success of the Single Act: A new frontier for Europe': 
'In the cultural and educational sphere it is necessary 
to: 
— Act in the spirit of the ERASMUS and YES pro­
grammes and develop Community-level cultural 
and educational projects for the acquisition of a 
second Community language before the age of 10 
and a third Community language after that age. 
This will equip young people to achieve their full 
potential in the new common area of communi­
cations, education and culture opened up by the 
rapprochement of the peoples of Europe and by the 
development of the new technologies. 
— Encourage the further development of European-
mindedness by promoting new history programmes 
so that young people can become more conscious 
of their European identity. (*)' 
3.4.1.2. No Member State's culture should be 
neglected on the pretext that its vehicle is a minority 
language. 
0) May \9S7/cf. OJ No C 180, 8. 7. 1987, p. 1 to 6, point 6. 
4. 7. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 175/45 
3.4.1.3. The Committee endorses the Commission's 
support for youth organizations which organize cultural 
excursions. 
3.4.2. Promoting culture in the regions 
As the Committee has an ongoing interest in regional 
policy, the Commission's project naturally meets with 
its approval. 
The idea of 'European culture' should be fostered as a 
means of strengthening interpersonal and inter-group 
bonds. 
To this end, individual identities and cultures must be 
accepted and protected. They should be able to exist 
by side, free of rivalry, opposition and any desire to 
dominate minority cultures. 
3.4.3. Preserving Europe's cultural heri­
tage 
The Committee welcomes the Commission's intention 
of making its activities in this area more effective and 
reiterates the need for systematic, coherent action to 
protect books threatened by deterioration. 
3.4.4. Young people's pass 
This proposal takes up a suggestion already made by 
the Committee and is in response to requests by youth 
organizations. 
3.5. Training for the cultural sector 
As the Commission aptly says, access to cultural train­
ing is a right. The Committee puts particular stress on 
the measures envisaged for training those in cultural 
and media professions. Such training could give con­
siderable encouragement to the development of a Euro­
pean cultural area, ensure employment opportunities in 
creative cultural fields, and make new jobs available in 
all fields of cultural activity. 
Children should be taught to be discriminating in their 
use of the means of communication: in addition to oral 
communication and reading (including newspapers), 
the cinema and the radio and television broadcasts 
should find a place on the school curriculum. 
3.5.1. Training for cultural adminis­
trators 
The Committee agrees that there is a need for proficient 
administrators to implement policies on cultural heri­
tage, exchanges and development. 3.5.2. Training for sound and vision 
specialists 
The Committee agrees with the Commission that 'the 
quality of the initial and continuous training given to 
those working in the audiovisual industry is essential 
to the development of European cinema and television'. 
3.5.3. Training for journalists and pro­
gramme planners 
The Committee would point out that the training 
received by journalists decisively influences the quality 
of the press. Training should include ethics, so that the 
rights of readers, as well as of journalists, may be 
respected. 
3.5.4. Training for translators and 
interpreters 
3.5.4.1. The Committee would issue an urgent 
appeal for the training of more translators and 
interpreters. The Committee itself is constantly aware 
of the shortage of trained specialists (particularly 
interpreters), which impairs the speed and efficiency of 
its work in some areas. It attaches great importance to 
the different types of training proposed for translators 
and interpreters. Concentration of training at the EC 
institutions is therefore not enough in itself. 
3.5.4.2. However useful, machine translation will 
never be able to replace human intelligence or the skill 
of interpreters and translators. 
3.5.5. Training for restoration special­
ists 
3.5.5.1. The Commission is encouraged to pursue its 
activities in this area, bearing in mind that prevention 
is better than cure. 
3.5.5.2. More scientific education is needed on 
methods of prolonging the life of works of art and, if 
need be, 'resuscitating' them. The Committee believes 
that these activities may help create jobs, especially for 
young people and in small firms. 
3.5.6. It must be borne in mind that the various 
training measures foreseen by the Commission must be 
mutually compatible. This is necessary in order to: 
— secure optimum training of those in the various 
cultural and media professions, 
— avoid any overlapping or duplication and thus make 
possible optimum use of financial resources. 
No C 175/46 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 7. 88 
3.6. Dialogue with the rest of the world 
3.6.1. This is a welcome inclusion in the Commission 
programme, though unfortunately the means for pro­
moting dialogue are dealt with only superficially. 3.6.2. The prime duty of culture should be to unite 
the human race. No-one can reasonably argue that 'his' 
or 'her' culture is superior to all others. The Committee 
would recommend that the Community pursue its 
activities in tandem with the UNESCO decade of world­
wide cultural development. 
Done at Brussels, 28 April 1988. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alfons MARGOT 
APPENDIX 
Content of the Commission programme 
5 Projects 
Creation of a European cultural area 
Promotion of the European audiovisual industry 
Access to cultural resources 
Training for the cultural sector 16 Activities 
Creation of an internal market for culture 
Information on cultural Europe 
Business sponsorship 
A policy for publishing 
A cinema and audiovisual arts academy 
An 'audiovisual' charter 
High-definition television programmes (European stan­
dards) 
Improving knowledge of languages 
Promoting culture in the regions 
Preserving Europe's cultural heritage 
'Young people's pass' 
Training for cultural administrators 
Training for sound and vision specialists 
Training for journalists and programme planners 
Training for translators and interpreters 
Training for restoration specialists 
Cultural dialogue with the rest of the world