Brussels, 10/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - In Avignon, France, from 16 to 19 November 2008, the French Presidency of the EU is organising a forum on culture as a growth vector, to be attended by some 250 key players from the economy, culture and the media and representatives of the public authorities of various countries with the aim of showing how investment in culture can protect diversity, defend civilised values and create wealth for inhabitants and ensure better understanding of the values of a country among visitors and inhabitants. French culture minister Christine Albanel said she was planning to provide a single meeting point to create synergies, build bridges between sectors which do not often meet, and ensure new and ambitious forms of beneficial collaboration emerge for growth and cultural diversity. The first day of the Avignon Forum will look at culture and economic development and the second at the growth of the digital economy in the culture industry. (I.L. transl.fl)