Interpret Europe
IE
Interpret Europe, the European Association for Heritage Interpretation, is a network organisation which was established in 2010 to serve all who use first-hand experiences to give natural and cultural heritage a deeper meaning.
ID: 937661834903-18
Lobbying Activity
Response to A Culture Compass for Europe
30 May 2025
We highly appreciate the culture compass initiative, in particular the recognition of the high relevance of culture and heritage to address the multiple challenges and threats the EU is currently facing. The transversal significance of culture and heritage was highlighted in the Resolution on the Cultural Dimension of Sustainable Development by the Council of the EU (OJ C 410, 6.12.2019, p. 16) which stated that: Considering that (...) 12. Culture, as a system of shared meanings within a community, has an impact on how sustainable development measures are assessed by that community and, subsequently, is a driver for sustainable development that can mediate between different environmental, social and economic concerns; 13. As the defining characteristic of humanity, cultures, in all their diversity and richness, embody values and are sources of identity, by virtue of which culture can have a transformative role as a creator of sustainability, promoting sustainable lifestyles and societies while enhancing quality of life. This reasoning, endorsed at the level of ministers of EU member states, highlights the fundamental role of culture as a system of shared meanings for complex and demanding tasks such as transformation of societies towards sustainability. Meaning-systems are the background against which people make sense of the world and of themselves; meaning- systems influence how people interpret and assess what they encounter. Systems of interrelated meanings underlie all aspects of human life and how humans relate to nature. All sectors of economy and all aspects of society, all religions and worldviews as well as sciences are basically structured by meaning-systems. Shared meaning-systems in communities and common basic values can make plural and democratic societies more resilient against disinformation and less prone to polarisations. But on the other hand, today it is evident that culture and heritage are increasingly weaponised against the values that underpin democracy and human rights and sustainable development. Therefore we appreciate a powerful initiative that strengthens the crucial role of culture and heritage for personal and cultural development, as provokers of critical and self-critical reflection. We hope that the Cultural Compass can unleash a large scale initiative to leverage the potential of culture and heritage for lifelong learning that contributes to democratic citizenship education, enhancing people's ability to deal with complexity and ambivalence (rather than following simplistic and divisive slogans). Heritage can broaden people's horizon beyond their immediate here-and-now. Experiencing past realities and empathising with past people can provide orientation for the future. This potential is not nearly used enough in order to address contemporary challenges. The compass is a great opportunity.
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