Cultural Engineering Group

The cultural and creative sectors are a significant driver of growth and jobs in Europe. They offer a key source of creativity and innovation, as well as contributing significantly to social cohesion and well-being. Cultural and creative industries employ millions of people across the EU-27, contribute a substantial share to EU GDP and grow faster than the rest of the economy. In 2009, at EU-27 level, 3.6 million people were employed in the five main cultural sectors of economic activity, representing 1.7% of total employment, with the proportion of women working in the cultural sector being higher than in total employment.

The European Union’s objective of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth is at the heart of the Europe 2020 Strategy, a policy approach that will help Europe find innovative solutions in challenging times. Against this background, cultural statistics can serve to support the growing interest of policy-makers in culture and its role in society, the economy and the cohesiveness of Europe. As such, with a view to improve data collection and improve reliable statistics at the European level, the Working Group ESSnet-Culture was set up, publishing their final report in October 2012 which details their work on cultural statistics.

Furthermore, the EU’s Culture Programme (2007-2013), with a budget of €400m for projects and initiatives, sought to celebrate Europe’s cultural diversity and enhance its shared cultural heritage through the development of cross-border co-operation between cultural operators and institutions. The key objectives of promoting the cross-border mobility of those working in the cultural sector are to encourage the transnational circulation of cultural and artistic output and to foster intercultural dialogue.

As the Culture Programme approaches the end of its term, this timely international symposium will evaluate the extent to which these objectives have been achieved through cultural actions, exchanges between cultural bodies at the European level and the analysis and dissemination of activities. The symposium will allow delegates to gain an understanding of Creative Europe, a support programme for the cultural and creative sectors from 2014, aiming to safeguard and promote the industries.

Key speakers

	Catherine Magnant, Head of Unit, Culture Policy, DG EAC, European Commission
	Steve Harding, Coordinator, Cross-Innovation Project, Interreg IVC
	Maria Iglesias, Head of Research Department, KEA European Affairs
	Thierry Baujard, President, Media Deals and Advisor to Access to Finance WG of European Creative Industries Alliance
	Erik Stok, Senior Advisor Strategy, Netwerkstad Twente

More information here.

Filed under: Non classé, Cultural engineering, Economie de la culture, Industries créatives, Industries culturelles