Council Resolution of 17 December 1999 on the promotion of the free movement of persons working in the cultural sector
Date: 1999-12-17
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: artistic profession, cultural cooperation, free movement of workers

12.1.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 8/3

12.

In order that all citizens can benefit equally from
opportunities offered by the information society, to
raise the awareness and capability of all groups in
low-
society,
in particular long-term unemployed,
elderly,
skilled workers,
the
illiterate,
and other
disabled,
disadvantaged groups.

the
and vulnerable minorities

the

13. To promote

an equal opportunities

approach
between men and women in the use of information
society tools in schools and in all levels of training
and education.

14. To support

the economy, especially micro and
SMEs, as well as non-profit and voluntary organi-
sations,
from the information society,
whilst also gaining from the modernisation of
work organisation so as
to maximise the job
potential and quality of working life.

to benefit

entrepreneurship,

15. To release the innovative capacity in Europe,
through education,
economic
and environmental sustainability and through the
in
promotion
peripheral and less favoured regions. Releasing the
human innovative capacity is a key element for job
creation and a base for social cohesion.

particularly

creative

skills,

of

CALL ON THE COMMISSION:

1. To favour the social and labour market dimension of the
the European

information society across all priorities of
Social Fund.

2. Using information and communication technologies,

to
such as European
the

(EURES) and information at

in services

increase
employment
European level.

transparency
services

3. To support

innovation through the

fifth framework
programme for research,
technological development and
demonstration activities particularly in the application of
new technologies and innovative forms of work organi-
sation in the creation of new products and services thus
leading to new jobs.

4. In collaboration with the forum of high-level representatives
of Members States, and working together with social
partners, information society industries and other groups,
in the
to report on strategies
information society,
extraordinary
in Lisbon, which will
meeting of
focus on this subject by putting high on the European
agenda the goal
(cid:145)Employment, economic reforms and
social cohesion (cid:151) for a Europe of innovation and knowl-
edge(cid:146).

the European Council

for maximising jobs

in advance of

the

5. To inform the Council on the consultations with the social

partners at European level concerning telework.

COUNCIL RESOLUTION

of 17 December 1999

on the promotion of the free movement of persons working in the cultural sector

(2000/C 8/02)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the first report of the Commission of the
European Communities of 17 April 1996 on the consideration
of cultural aspects in European Community action,

Having regard to the Council Resolution of 20 January 1997
on the
into Community
actions (1),

cultural aspects

integration of

(1) OJ C 36, 5.2.1997, p. 4.

Having regard to the report of the high-level panel on the free
movement of persons of 18 March 1997, the action plan for
the single market of 4 June 1997 issued on the basis of the
report, the more specific action plan for the free movement of
workers of November 1997, and the Commission communi-
cation on the follow-up to the recommendations of
the
high-level panel on the free movement of persons of 1 July
1998,

Having regard to the Commission communication on the first
European Community framework programme in support of
culture (2000 to 2004) of 6 May 1998 and the Commission
orientation decument on the explicit integration of cultural
aspects into community action,

C 8/4

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

12.1.2000

RECALLS that in accordance with Article 151 of the Treaty
establishing the European Community, the Community shall
contribute to the flowering of the cultures of the Member
States while respecting their national and regional diversity
and at the same time bringing the common cultural heritage
to the fore and that the Community shall take cultural aspects
into account in its action under other provisions of the Treaty,
in particular in order to respect and to promote the diversity of
its cultures;

RECALLS that, in accordance with Article 3(1)(c) of the Treaty
is characterised by the abolition, as
the internal market
between Member States of obstacles,
inter alia to the free
movement of persons;

CONSIDERS that, without prejudice to the agreements estab-
lished in the context of the Schengen acquis, owing to the
principle of
the European
the free movement of persons,
Economic Area enables persons working in the cultural
sector
to reach wider audiences and provides them with
access to a labour market which is substantially larger and
more diverse than the national labour markets; also considers
that the future enlargement of the European Union should
provide further opportunities;

FIRMLY BELIEVES that the free movement of persons working,
studying or training in the cultral sector promotes and diver-
sifies the citizens’ access to the arts and culture, deepens coop-
eration and interaction between operators in the cultural sector,
life, promotes the diversity of European
stimulates cultural
cultures,
citizenship and European
awareness;

and promotes

active

on

the

first

community

WELCOMES the affirmation of the Commission in its communi-
cation
framework
European
programme in support of culture (2000 to 2004) of 6 May
1998 that the Commission will produce a detailed list of the
obstacles to free movement of artists and others working in the
cultural sector and the factors impeding cultural creativity and
dissemination, and will, if necessary, take appropriate measures
to remove such obstacles;

INVITES the Commission to undertake a study in consultation
with artists and other professionals
field,
including:

in the cultural

(cid:151) a general assessment of mobility of persons working,

studying or training in the cultural sector,

(cid:151) a comprehensive review of legal, administrative and practial
obstacles currently impeding the implementation of
the
principle of free movement in the cultural sector,

in the light of
for

and,
proposals
for
movement and rectifying the shortcomings identified;

this study, to consider,

removing obstacles

actions

if appropriate,
to free

INVITES the Member States:

NOTES that one of the aims of the proposed Culture 2000
programme is to promote the mobility of professionals in
the cultural sector and to increase cultural exchanges, and
in the
that certain Community programmes,
audiovisual and educational fields, also provide opportunities
for mobilty;

for example,

FIRMLY BELIEVES that more active and efficient use of
the
opportunities inherent in the single market will create new
jobs and enhance work opportunities for persons working,
studying or
sector, and thereby
promote employment in the cultural sector and employment
as a whole;

training in the cultural

EMPHASISES that information and advice provided for persons
working, studying or training in the cultural sector concerning
the work opportunities offered by the single market should be
the Community level and within the Member
improved at
States;

(cid:151) to coopperate with the Commission in the preparation of

the study,

(cid:151) to consider actions at the national level, in the light of the
in coop-

Commission study, to promote free movement,
eration with other Member States, where applicable,

(cid:151) to enhance advice and information provided for artists and
other professionals in the cultural sector with regard to the
work opportunities in the single market, where applicable,

(cid:151) to develop internal cooperation in the Member States with
a view to facilitating the mobility of artists and other
persons working, studying or training in the cultural sector.