The European Agenda for Culture and statistical needs Sylvain Pasqua Eurostat Luxembourg, 30 June 2008

A new political ambition Affirming the central role of culture for Europe, in line with the subsidiarity principle: Better linkage with the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs Recognition of the role of culture in our relations with the world … through a strategy based on shared objectives and new working methods

Three sets of shared objectives Promote cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue Promote culture as a catalyst for creativity and innovation Promote the international dimension of culture … The key to success: a convergence of the efforts of all stakeholders at all levels

From definition to implementation May 2007: Adoption of the Agenda by the Commission September 2007: First Culture Forum November 2007: Endorsement by the Council of ministers December 2007: Endorsement by the European Council 2008: First year of implementation

New working methods With Member States: reinforced cooperation through the open method of coordination With the cultural sector: instauration of a structured dialogue Within the Commission: reinforced mainstreaming of culture in other EC policies and programmes

The open method of coordination A three-year Work Programme 2008-10 Around five objectives Improved mobility of artists and professionals Improved access to culture Developing data, statistics and methodologies while improving their comparability Maximising the potential of cultural and creative industries Implementing the UNESCO Convention

The OMC: how does it work? Exchanging and validating good practices Proposing cooperation initiatives between Member States or at EC level Developing elements of methodologies for progress measurements … with a view to drafting recommendations by the end of 2010 (closing of the first cycle).

The OMC: how does it work (2nd part) Setting up of four groups of experts: Mobility of artists and professionals Cultural and Creative Industries Synergies between education and culture Mobility of collections, activities of museums And a transversal group, on statistics

In this framework, what is the mandate given by the Council Developing data production on the basis of a coordinated statistical system on culture Studying the possibility of adapting or developing existing methods to cover new needs and fields.

Structured dialogue with civil society Objective: to better hear the voice of civil society on the shared objectives Setting up of three platforms: Access to culture Cultural and creative industries Intercultural dialogue Timetable: drafting recommendations by end 2010

Why having cultural statistics? CONVINCING THAT… The cultural and creative sector is key within the Lisbon Strategy Cultural spending is a good investment Culture contributes to social and territorial integration Culture is a good tool for in our «neighbourhood» policy. … and PERMITTING the devising of appropriate and informed strategies, that can help us make progress on the shared objectives.

What types of statistical data? … Linked with the Agenda and its priorities… Better measuring the weight of cultural and creative industries in the economy Better measuring and qualifying the cultural and creative employment Better measuring the positive effects of the cultural sector on the wider economy

What type of statistical data? Better grasping the exchange of goods and services Better knowing the cultural/creative SMEs Grasping – as far as possible – the mobility of professionals and its patterns

Thank you for your attention ! Sylvain Pasqua, DG Education and Culture, Unit Culture, e-mail: sylvain.pasqua@ec.europa.eu Internet Website: http///ec.europa.eu/culture