Cultural and Creative sectors occupy a significant place in today’s European economy, by contributing to innovation, investment, digital modernisation and cultural tourism. The Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) generate indeed around €509 billion per year, representing 5.3% of the EU’s total GDP and employ 12 million full-time jobs, which constitutes 7.5% of the EU’s employment and the third largest employer sector in the EU (European Commission, 2018). More than the economic value added to the EU’s GDP, cultural and creative sectors promote the European culture within and beyond the EU’s borders. In a political context characterised by the questioning of the European project, cultural and creative sectors have the potential to strengthen the European identities, cultural diversity and values; favour the critical thinking and build bridge between art, culture, business and technology in order to bring the European citizens closer.

In the last years, the EU has developed various projects in the framework of the 2015-18 Work Plan for Culture and the 2020 Horizon programmes to finance and support Cultural and Creative Industries. However, market fragmentation, insufficient access to finance and uncertainties in salaries conditions continue to undermine the cultural participation and development. In response to the Council’s invitation to do more in the cultural sector, in May 2018 the European Commission adopted a proposal for a New European Agenda for Culture. The New Agenda aims to harness the power of culture and cultural diversity for social cohesion; bolster the common European identity; support jobs and growth in cultural and creative sectors and to strengthen international cultural relations.

With the evolution of globalisation and digitalisation in modern life, the New European Agenda for Culture embraces the innovation in cultural and creative sectors. This goes with the adaptation of education and training to address the technological and business skills deficit and bring about evolution in the cultural sector. Moreover, it is currently assessed that there is a need for continuous assessment to ensure that the regulatory framework complies with intellectual property rights, consumer protection, online distribution and the establishment and operation of business rules in a digital era.

This timely symposium will evaluate recent initiatives and policy developments in the field of Cultural and Creative Industries from the EU to tackle the emerging challenges to the sector. Participants will exchange views, perspectives and good practices on the possible strategies to tackle these challenges, and will debate the role of CCIs in national politics, education, international communication and social inclusion.

Date: Wednesday 6th February 2019
Time: 10:00am — 4:30pm
Venue: Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre


Key Speaker:

Ana Gaio, Senior Lecturer, School of Arts and Social Sciences, City University London, (Event Chair)

Ignasi Guardans, Chairman and CEO, Culture and Media Agency Europe (CUMEDIAE)

Sophie Dowden, Policy Officer, Culture Action Europe

Grégoire Polad, Director General, Association of Commercial Television in Europe

Laura Houlgatte, CEO, International Union of Cinemas (UNIC)

Inge Ceustermans, Managing Director, The Festival Academy

 

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Source: Website Public Policy Exchange