Brussels, 12/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - The Latvian Presidency of the Council of Ministers held a conference in Riga on Thursday 12 March to discuss the interaction between the cultural and creative sectors and other sectors of activity, and their added value for the development of national economies, innovation and the wellbeing of citizens.
The aim of the conference, at which Culture Commissioner Tibor Navracsics spoke, was to draw attention to the potential of the cultural and creative industries to contribute to economic growth and the development of other economic sectors, and also to enhance social cohesion and protect cultural diversity. Experts and participants spoke of their experiences and shared examples of best practice. “The (European) Commission will continue to promote cross-sectoral cooperation. Mainstreaming culture in all relevant EU policies and actions, in line with the Treaties, will remain a priority for us in the years ahead, because cultural and creative crossovers have a major role to play to help Europe meet the economic and social challenges it is facing”, stated Navracsics in his speech.
Charged by Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker with promoting culture as a driver of innovation, Navracsics highlighted three main goals: 1) promoting cultural diversity; 2) maximising the contribution of the cultural and creative sectors to growth and job creation; 3) helping these sectors to thrive in the digital single market. In concrete terms, the commissioner wants to strengthen cooperation between different policies at all levels (European, national, regional and local), breaking down the silos and strengthening connections between culture and sectors such as industrial policy, education, tourism and urban and regional development, for example. The commissioner also argues for integrated strategies at national level. This, he says, is crucial if the potential of the creative and cultural industries is to be fully exploited. Equally, he wants to see creative skills being better promoted and a digital single market fully adapted to the reality of these industries.
To finance implementation of appropriate policies the commissioner points, first, to the €315 billion investment plan proposed by the Commission that can benefit companies in the creative sector. Then there are other tools, such as the Creative Europe programme, Erasmus +, Horizon 2020, the COSME programme for business and SME competitiveness, the Cohesion Fund, the EFRD and the European Social Fund. “I am confident that together we will be able to put these ideas into action”, stated Navracsics in conclusion. (Isabelle Lamberty)