THEME: Culture in Towns

Local and regional authorities play a vital role in the provision of artistic and recreational facilities, the promotion of cultural activities and the achievement of cultural democracy. They thus should have the right and the capacity to formulate and implement a cultural policy, in the light of a town's specific cultural tradition and the cultural characteristics of its population as a whole.

Architectural creation, language, the arts, music, literature are all expressions of the rich storehouse of history and the collective memory of a town; barometers of change in lifestyles and social patterns and components of the cultural heritage and experience. Culture is the range of a people's acquired concepts; literary, scientific and artistic traditions and knowledge.

Specific geography, topography, climate and living conditions within each locality give a specific characteristic to such culture, enabling citizens to identify with a particular area. Cultural policy can contribute to economic and social development. In a wider setting, it is a factor in enabling citizens within their towns to understand, identify, recognise their particular roles and goals within an interrelated European network of contact and exchange.

PRINCIPLES

1. All urban dwellers have a right to culture

Culture involves everyone. It should not be treated as the domain of a privileged few or an elite, but rather a vehicle for stimulating the creativity and imagination of all social groups. The universality of cultural democracy is embodied in Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

2. The cultural development of towns contributes to their economic and social development

Cultural policy contribute to economic development; to the creation of a sense of community; it is a fundamental element in formal education at all levels from primary to adult education; can be a powerful means for achieving public participation in the affairs of a community; can help with the social regeneration of disadvantaged sectors of the population. It is thus a key element within a comprehensive urban policy; part of an overall policy for the improvement of the quality of life in towns and in the promotion of human rights.

3. Cultural exchange is a powerful bond between peoples of different nationalities, different regions and nations

Local authorities should recognise that the transfer of cultural experience of their towns to others plays an important role in creating mutual comprehension and respect.

4. Cultural development and genuine cultural democracy involves extensive collaboration between local authorities and community groups, the voluntary sector and the private sectors

Cultural development is not simply the responsibility of local authorities alone. They should seek to enlist, by a variety of means - for example fiscal incentives - greater involvement of industry and commerce in patronage of the arts and cultural creation. They should consider maximum support for neighbourhood groups which aim at cultural innovation and transfer to community groups responsibilities or activities.

5. Cultural pluralism presupposes experiment and encouragement of innovation

Part of the richness of cultural activity derives from its spontaneous, innovative nature, not deriving from organised or institutionalised structures. Successful cultural development must also target and recognise the particular needs and contribution of specific groups of the population, for example, young people and, significantly, immigrant communities. Local authorities should recognise this through appropriate allocations within municipal funding for cultural activities.

6. The balanced promotion of cultural tourism by local authorities can have a beneficial effect on their community

Cultural tourism is a growth industry throughout Europe; historic towns, cultural and artistic events attract visitors in growing numbers. The benefits to local authorities are clear: increased prosperity; improved local employment prospects; extension of the range of amenities available to residents, beneficial "spin-off" effects on the building industry, on specialised crafts and, above all, an increase in the mutual knowledge and respect of different cultures and communities. Such benefits, however, can only be ensured and potential negative effects avoided, through devising a tourist and cultural management plan which closely involves local residents, the private sector, representatives of the tourist industry and local authorities.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-02