September 2005

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COE HOLDS THE COLLOQUIUM ''EUROPEAN CULTURE: IDENTITY AND DIVERSITY''

September 2005 - The Council of Europe, in co-operation with the French Ministry of Culture and the City of Strasbourg, organised a colloquium on “European culture: identity and diversity”, held in Strasbourg on 8 and 9 September. The colloquium was opened by Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, who stated “ I ask you to look at “Europe” and “culture”, at “identity” and “diversity” in all their various aspects […]. In the past, many colloquies of the Council of Europe have suffered from “splendid isolation” and a less than stringent follow-up. It will not be so in this case”. The event has been organized as part of the activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the European Cultural Convention, which has been signed by all 48 European states, and is aimed at developing mutual understanding between the peoples of Europe and a reciprocal appreciation of their cultural diversity.

The colloquium intended to lay down new guidelines for future Council of Europe programmes in the fields of education, culture, heritage, youth and sport. Different issues were tackled during the conference such as role of education, culture and dialogue in the formation of individual and collective identities. Also, the geographical or cultural limits of the identity were discussed together with the new challenges for language education policies with regard to ‘national languages’, languages of minorities and of newcomers.

The event, which was attended by more than 100 intellectuals, experts, figures from the world of culture and governmental and non-governmental representatives from all over Europe, also contributed to the development of the future cultural agenda of the Council of Europe.