Michael Culture Association
MCA
Michael Culture Association (Aisbl - Belgium) is an European trans-domain devoted to European digital cultural heritage and its communities.
ID: 007579634856-38
Lobbying Activity
Response to A Culture Compass for Europe
23 May 2025
The Culture Compass represents a timely and strategic opportunity to articulate a coherent and ambitious vision for EU cultural policy. MCA, as a European trans-sectoral network focusing on heritage and in particular digital cultural contents - bringing together private and public cultural institutions, ministries, researchers, heritage professionals and digital innovation actors from Europe and beyond, welcomes the Commissions initiative. MCA strongly supports the Commission's ambition for a cultural strategy: we are sure this will be an unprecedented and strong European roadmap for the sector. We believe this compass could guide the future of Europe, anchored in democratic values, sustainable development and digital sovereignty. We also call for a broad integration of the Compass and its provisions in the EU policies, programmes and MFF. Each of the 6 thematic pillars that MCA identified starts off from an ethical principle and is translated into actionable priorities. In the attached PDF, fundamental to illustrate MCA position, each pillar is enriched with actionable points and links to relevant projects and initiatives in which we were involve(d). 1. Cultural rights and freedom of expression as a foundation The Compass could include clear references to the right for everyone to participate in cultural life, and promote these rights across all EU policies, including in conditionality mechanisms related to the rule of law. 2. Culture as a pillar of democracy, security and social cohesion Culture is a shield for democracy and a trusted space for pluralism and critical thought. We firmly believe that the trio of Culture, Education, and Research represents a vital pillar of a democratic system: the stronger these three areas are, the healthier a democracy will be. The Compass could recognise them as foundational to societal resilience and democratic stability. 3. Digital and data sovereignty as cultural infrastructure Access to cultural data is a matter of memory, identity, and digital justice, while the digital space we move in is above all a cultural space. The Compass could recognize the digital space as a space of culture, in which cultural rights are fully applicable. It could also stimulate a massive EU-wide digitisation scheme for cultural heritage, to protect and reuse cultural content ethically, ensure a diversity of representation in particular of minorities. 4. A green and social transition rooted in culture & research There is no ecological and social transition without the cultural sector on board. Inclusivity in the cultural sector means caring for both who is working in the sector and who participates in culture. The Compass could propose the lens of culture for innovation and research in the sustainability fields, in order to find innovative solutions that answer real needs and address systemic changes. 5. Ethical, human-centered AI and digital tools Technology must serve people, not the other way around. Innovation policies should develop a needs assessment of the cultural sector concerning AI tools - starting from the identification of the needs from the related sectors. It is pivotal to promote ethical development of AI and digital tools through cross-sectoral partnerships between the cultural sector and technology developers. 6. Heritage protection as a strategic asset for foreign policy and crisis response Cultural heritage is not only memory, it is a frontline of peace, justice, and global solidarity. The fight against illicit trafficking and looting of cultural goods is a topical example to understand how much heritage protection and security are two mutually reinforced domains. The Compass could recognize the need for trans-sectoral cooperation for the fight against illicit trafficking and looting of cultural goods, by inviting the creation of a Pilot Action for a Competence Centre on the fight against illicit trafficking, bringing together all the necessary communities.
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