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More Europe - external cultural relations

Since its inception, More Europe – external cultural relations, a leading voice in external cultural relations, has encouraged cultural institutions, operators and European Institutions to work together in order to strengthen the role of culture in external relations, which got a particular attention from EU policy makers and witnessed important policy developments in the recent years. Indeed, since 2011, More Europe – external cultural relations has constantly been pushing for a coherent and adequate European approach towards external cultural relations, based on the promotion of fundamental values, dialogue, and the recognition of the role of civil society. Main activities include: - Active advocacy for more and coherent cultural cooperation in the EU´s external relations policies; - Conducting research and studies; - Sharing and debating with third-countries stakeholders and cultural operators involved in cultural cooperation

Lobbying Activity

Response to The New European Agenda for Culture

17 Apr 2018

We, as More Europe – external cultural relations – a public-private initiative advocating for more structured European external cultural relations – call for the New European Agenda for Culture to take into account the evolutions of the last five years in the field of international cultural relations. Indeed, in light of the 2016 European Commission-European External Action Service Joint Communication “Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations” and the subsequent Council Conclusions, the action of the EU in the area of international cultural relations should move beyond ‘public diplomacy’, ‘soft power’ and the mere projection of European values. Besides, focusing on values and identity can prove highly sensitive when relating to other countries, societies and cultures. The new strategic challenges mentioned by the roadmap cannot be addressed with old paradigms and tools. “International cultural relations” encompass a much broader range of possible actions, opening the way for new collaborative practices and experiences with Europe’s partners. In particular, international cultural relations, much more than ‘classic’ cultural diplomacy, allow for the full engagement on equal-footed partnerships of the multiplicity of the actors – private foundations, art organisations, civil society networks and many more – active within the European external cultural relations. People-to-people contacts, the empowerment of local communities and civil societies must be at the heart of the European Union external cultural action, as is emphasised in the 2016 Joint Communication.
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