Culture must be placed at the heart of the European Union. A diverse cultural heritage, mobility opportunities and the freedom to think, learn and create are central to the European project. Although the EU’s jurisdiction in cultural and scientific policy is supplementary to that of the Member States, cooperation in these fields must be done in closer contact.
1. The freedom of the sciences and arts must be secured and their accessibility promoted
The European Union’s core tasks are to ensure the freedom of the sciences, arts and culture as well as to promote diversity and build relationships. The freedom of speech, expression and thought are not only human rights but also the foundation of all scientific and artistic work. The free movement of knowledge and competences as well as access to research-based knowledge and the arts must be actively promoted in all parts of the European Union.
Europe is a culturally diverse, value-based community. Permeating every sector of society, a shared European culture strengthens and upholds respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, human rights and the rule of law.
Diversity, equity and inclusion must be ensured and trust between the Member States and their citizens strengthened in the European Union. These actions play an important part in sustaining the resilience to change, the security of supply and the overall security of the European Union. A free civil society is integral to maintaining democracy and inclusion.
2. Cultural sustainability must be included in the sustainability objectives
Culture must be included as the fourth pillar of the green transition. Sustainability change takes place not only on a structural level – it also concerns individuals and communities, involving their values, beliefs and ideals that form the basis of their decision-making.
Sustainability refers to longevity and the ability to differentiate between sustainable and unsustainable solutions in different sectors. In order to make these kinds of assessments, multidisciplinary and independent research is needed.
Cultural sustainability refers to the protection, preservation and cultivation of cultural heritage. Additionally, it involves the development of the sciences and research as well as the arts, culture and creative industries, including the transition toward more sustainable practices.
Cultural sustainability acknowledges the value of local cultures, intercultural communication, cultural diversity and intergenerational cultural transfer. Recognising and safeguarding the status and rights of the Sámi – the only indigenous people of the European Union – is a vital part of fostering Europe’s cultural diversity.
Cultural sustainability is also a part of the EU’s global positioning. Europe must lead the way in fostering inclusion, well-being and financial growth in a sustainable manner that pays attention to ecological, social and cultural sustainability.
3. The role of the arts, culture and creative industries in generating opportunities for growth and employment must be promoted as part of the efforts to ensure Europe’s competitive strength and appeal
The arts, culture and creative industries have significant potential for financial growth. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the creative industries accounted for 4.4 percent of the European Union’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In Finland, the sector accounts for 3.1 percent of GDP, which remains below the EU average.
The arts, culture and creative industries are labour-intensive fields with plenty of entrepreneurship. The prerequisites for the sector’s growth must be promoted in the entire European Union. The working conditions as well as the education and mobility opportunities of artists and other professionals in the cultural and creative industries must be developed.
The EU must fortify the sector’s support structures and ecosystem as well as its shared trade area and funding instruments in a manner that takes note of the true diversity in the field. The sector’s organisations, businesses and employees must be taken into consideration when developing the ecosystem and support structures.
It is necessary to acknowledge that the sciences and research as well as the arts, culture and creative industries provide the conditions for the success of other sectors.
The sciences and research as well as the creative industries develop societies and the economy by providing new knowledge, increasing understanding and creating new solutions, innovations and products.
The true value of long-term scientific and artistic work must be recognised and supported as part of the efforts to support sustainable innovations.
Rapid technological developments, including artificial intelligence, not only offer possibilities but also pose challenges to each sector and society. In order to assess the impacts and ethical implications of this transition, further research in the social sciences and the humanities as well as increased cultural understanding are needed.