EUROPEAN YEAR OF CULTURAL HERITAGE

 

EP PLENARY ADOPTS AMBITIOUS REPORT ON THE LEGACY OF THE EUROPEAN YEAR OF

                                                     CULTURAL HERITAGE

 

At its first Plenary Session of the year 2018, the European Parliament adopted with overwhelming majority the own-initiative report by MEP Duce Melborde: “On achieving ineffective policy legacy for the European of our cultural heritage.”

 

As one of the main civil society actors, during EYCH 2019, EUROPA NOSTRA was delighted to contribute and provide extensive input to the preparation of this important report that calls for a truly strategic approach cultural heritage by the European Union.  This document particularly highlights the diversity of our cultural heritage as a driving power for growth and employment, its educational benefits, providing new opportunities  and strengthening intercultural relations, as well as the growing importance of digital cultural heritage.

 

The Secretary-General of EUROPA NOSTRA said:

“As Europe is embarking upon an arduous path of recovery, we applaud the adoption by the European Parliament of this important document.  The EP report emphasizes the multiple values of our shared cultural heritage and stresses the need for an integrated EU strategy towards cultural heritage, with stronger synergies between various stockholder policies, projects and funding programmes to fully unlock its social, economic and environmental benefits.  EUROPA NOSTRA stands ready to work hand-in-hand with the European Institutions and the Member States to ensure the most effective implementation of these recommendations.”

 

The European of Cultural Heritage in 2018 was an unprecedented celebration of one shared cultural heritage and values as, well as the mobilisation of heritage across Europe and beyond.   Organised as a bottom-up initiative it engaged 12.8 million citizens through more than 13.000 events, throughout the year, EUROPA NOSTRA together with its wide network of members and partners organised a great range of events and activities.  At the end of the European Year, the European Commission issued a European Framework for Action in Cultural Heritage to side up its success and ensure a lasting impact.

The EP report stresses that, at present and in the future much more can be done to achieve an effective policy legacy of the EYCH.  After an initial vote in favour of the report of the EP Cultural and Educational Committee was presented and debated during the Plenary Sitting.  MEP from each political group called on the European Commission and the Member States to step up their actions related to recognisability, the value of cultural heritage, enlarging the relative education and skills, promoting digital cultural heritage, unlocking it economical potential and sustainability as well as developing an approach to cultural heritage.