so that each project or cultural policy has a European dimension

Including a European dimension into a project is often seen as setting up a project with many European partners. If we consider the challenges entailed in setting up a cultural Europe, then cultural operators and actors should not simply be asking themselves how to “add Europe” into their projects but how to “make Europe work” within their project, implying a more concerted and integrated approach for projectmaking and for policymaking at national and local levels.

Making Europe implies a process of assimilation of the political project of the EU, of its common strategies, of its methods and of its expertise that are defined and consolidated within the decisions of the European Union. It is also a process of transformation of policies and practices.

a reknewed conceptual approach

Making Europe therefore implies that cultural operators should address the following issues :
• The action undertaken should be viewed in the widest possible way (both European and Worldwide),
• The action should be anchored at a local level and within societies,
• The action should be included in a strategy for development of a sphere of activity or a local community,
• An evolution in public governance should be encouraged to reinforce links with citizens.
 

new practices to develop

Such a vision could lead to a more abstract view of the action we wish to undertake. It is therefore important to learn to come to terms with these new issues and reposition the project :

• We must build new engineering capacities that link a cultural and artistic approach with technicial capacities
• We must develop our intercultural competences (master the different frames of reference, reinforce linguistic capacities…) that are vital to preserve the « diversity » aspect of the projects and actions,
• We must invest in more areas of discussion and debate to encourage collective responses and opinions,
• We must address the issue of « responsible citizenship » a vital approach for all the actors of the culture and arts worlds in the building of Europe.