CULTURAL HERITAGE AND EUROPEAN POLICIES

Prof. Dr.Cristina Gutierrez-Cortines.MEP

“Saving Europe’s Endangered Heritage”EUROPA NOSTRA FORUM

Lisboa. 1 June 2012

Cultural Heritage: a complementary attribution.

• The EU do not have any attributions in other areas either, but it has made many recomendations and has created a doctrine: Erasmus in education or equality for women.

• This explains the weakness of policies and initiatives

Reasons for this Inhibition

• Member States demand more exclusive powers on Culture as the guardian of identity.

• They try to preserve a sort of private space safe from intrusions.

• The Commission was affraid of the Council and of the refusal of proposals.

• It did not know how to create actions that gave it leadership. It has never proposed Cultural Heritage and Research .

Hostility and resistance exists when talking about a common European

culture.

In all fields: thinking, music, literature, heritage.

Official voices used to say: European culture is diverse.

We can´t fall in this trap.

But things are moving

• However, the Lisbon Treaty has changed something.

• I dare to say that the scene and the assessment of heritage is also changing in Europe

Heritage and the Treaty of Lisbon

• The Treaty of the European Union is the basis of the principles and values of the European Union.

• Art 3.4. “"The Union (...) shall respect its rich cultural and linguistic diversity, and shall ensure that Europe’s cultural heritage is safeguarded and enhanced."

A mandate without any answer.

• These words are a mandate and they require an extended answer from the European Commission.

• BUT:

The defense and protection does not depend of DG Culture in many cases.

Other articles of the Lisbon Treaty also include Heritage.

• Art.167.1 TFEU:

"The Union 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."

Other articles of the Lisbon Treaty also include Heritage.

• Art 167.2 TFEU:

"Action by the Union shall be aimed at encouraging cooperation between Member States and, if necessary, supporting and supplementing their action in the (...) areas of improvement of the knowledge and dissemination of the culture and history of the European peoples, conservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage of European significance, the non-commercial cultural exchanges and artistic and literary creation, including in the audiovisual sector."

Other articles of the Lisbon Treaty also include Heritage.

• Art 167.4 TFEU:

“The Union shall take cultural aspects into account in its action under other provisions of the Treaties, in particular in order to respect and to promote the diversity of its cultures."

Split structure of the European Commission

• Since Europe has 27 Member States, its structure and the decision making process has been fragmented.

• 27 Member States. 27 Directorate Generals.

What is the situation?

• DG. Culture, Education and Sports.

• DG Culture has began some weak actions but it doesn’t have enough strength or recognition.

• The Council does not support it.

• Budget is controlled by countries and MPs rejecting any culture coordination.

Cultural Heritage a Transversal

flagship• The instruments to coordinate this fragmented structure has been the European Flagships.

• In these last mandates, the EU has coordinated its policies making some issues a priority in the 1990s Sustainability, 2000s Climate Change, 2005s Energie,

• This is what is needed with Culture. Culture has to become a priority.

Cultural Heritage should become a Priority

• Links need to be created through Culture and -

Industry and Environment Economics and Tourism. Regional development and cities.

Research and Innovation.

What is Europa Nostra going to do?

• Europa Nostra represents the civil society, and as such its influence is growing.

• Through great effort, constant social presence and recognition awards, quality actions are flourishing now.

• Next step is to get the leadership through action.

Three actions already mentioned

• Increase its presence within European Institutions.

• Increase leadership and coordination with other associations.

• Strengthen its mission of protection.

• Grantnig of awards for best practices.

• List and report heritage in danger.

Many thanks

It will be an honor for me to work with you.

In the end, preservation of heritage lies in

love, conviction and courage.