Activities of Europe of Cultures Forum

Europe of Cultures Forum at work

Although developing own activities, emphasis is being put on creating synergies between existing organisations and initiatives. The Europe of Cultures Forum wishes to remain a small but effective association focusing on networking and synergy with existing initiatives. Activities are of diverse nature.

Local Chapters
The Forum operates in a decentralized manner, through a network of local/regional chapter. A first one - the Capitol dels Paisos Catalans - has been created in Barcelona; a Brussels Euro Chapter has been launched and the Adriatic & Ionian Chapter based in Corfu, Greece is starting its operation in July 2006. Others are being organized.

Citizens Convention on European Cultures
A major medium term objective is the organisation of Citizens Convention on European Cultures (CCEC) in 2007, in Budapest and Vienna. Many citizens feel indeed that the 2003 Convention and the draft Constitution pay too little attention to culture as a motor for change and progress towards an integrated Europe where citizens really feel at home.
Regional Conferences
Decentralised conferences on "Cultural identities and European Citizenship" are being held in all European countries and regions (Mons, 13.10.04, Copenhagen 8.07.05, Bruges 19.09.05). Others are planned in Barcelona, Siena, Cork, Bretagne, Alsace… and Corfu on 21.07.2006. All of them will seek to prepare ground for the CCEC 2007 project. Joint undertakings with local interests are obviously being sought when setting up these events.

Cultural Networking
Numerous initiatives are taken in many parts of Europe dealing with issues of cultural originality and diversity: research, conferences, special events etc. These are mostly unknown to outsiders and often isolated. The Europe of Cultures Forum is establishing the necessary contacts with a view to active networking between cultural projects, creating Europe-wide exchanges among the local actors. A database is being developed.

Research
The Forum has launched a research project on "Multilingual Education and Cultural Identification". The purpose of this project is to make a synthesis of the multiple questions (psychological, pedagogical, linguistic, etc.) that new European initiatives in the field of language teaching could raise for cultural awareness among young people in specific areas.

Publications
A series of scientific publications will be created, bringing to a larger public the conclusions of the conferences, in particular monographs and the results of research projects.

Seminars and Debates
The Forum is seeking to foster regular contacts among interested actors on the field, as well as between its own members and political decision-making bodies. For this purpose, seminars and debates are being organised at local level, mainly through the Chapters. Citizens' associations, action groups and clubs will also be approached for this purpose.