NEWSLETTER No. 16 / July 2010

Dear Compendium friends and users,

Welcome to the 11th edition of Compendium, the information and monitoring system providing key facts about Cultural Policies and Trends in Europe.

Whether you're a first time user or a long term supporter, we are sure that the online Compendium will prove to be an essential research and information tool for you.

This newsletter highlights some of the latest additions and features that have been developed and provides selected highlights on policy news and developments for 5 updated or new country profiles.

Find more under www.culturalpolicies.net

With best wishes from the Compendium Team!

Hot Topic & Poll: Defining Cultural Rights
by Patrice Meyer-Bisch

Cultural rights still fall through the gap in the Human Rights’ protection system. Identity related questions are at the most intimate level of respect for human dignity, the right of each individual to participate in “a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized” (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, art. 28).

They are at the root of violence and peace issues, of poverty and welfare. Fear of "relativism", although justified, long prevented us from considering each individual as a subject of his or her rights within a concrete environment. Universality therefore remained an abstract idea, since it can only become concrete through the right of each individual to live his or her humanity.

For more, see our new Hot Topic...

New Cultural Policy Profile !

The Compendium is proud to announce that the Cultural Policy Profile of the Czech Republic is now available!

The Compendium comprises now 42 European countries!

On the Compendium you can now find the country profile, the corresponding quick facts and downloadable PDF versions of the Czech profile in English and Czech.

For 2010, Cyprus and Bosnia and Herzegovina have announced their participation in the programme and cultural policy profiles of these countries are expected to be added to the Compendium system during the year.

Cultural Rights & Ethics

New articles were added to this section, including:

Controversial Ban of a Theatre Play in Malta (06/2010)

A la recherche d'un équilibre entre le droit à l'égalité et d'autres droits fondamentaux (06/2010)

Cultural Policy News in Europe: Selected Highlights

ORGANISATIONAL REFORMS

Denmark: 240 libraries closed in the period Jan 2007-March 2010 due to the Local Government Reform.

Denmark: A Centre for Culture and Experience Economy was established to improve co-operation between culture, business, universities and research institutions.

NEW LAWS

Czech Republic: On 1 January 2010, increases were made to both the base rate of VAT and the reduced rate which is applied to cultural activities.

Czech Republic: All artists must pay pension insurance since 1 January 2009.

Denmark: The Local Government Reform in Denmark has caused a huge debate on theatre policy and the poor status of local theatres and small city theatres. Much needed funding has been reduced.

Denmark: ratified the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Portugal: The judical regime for employment contracts of performing arts professionals was established in 2008. In March 2010, a new law on professional qualifications and pension and welfare arrangements was presented for discussion in the Parliament.

San Marino: An Agreement on Radio and Television Co-operation was signed between San Marino and Italy.

Switzerland: The Museum Law which came into force on 1 January 2010 provides Switzerland for the first time with a national museum policy.

Switzerland: The Language Law which came into force on 4 December 2009 aims to strengthen multilingualism and national cohesion.

Switzerland: The Law on the Promotion of Culture has been passed and strategic aims will be defined for the period 2012-2016 for the first time.

POLICY DEVELOPMENTS

Czech Republic: The National Cultural Policy 2009-2014 has four dimensions: economic and social; civic; cultural values; and cultural activities.

Czech Republic: In December 2009, the government adopted the Concept of Romany Integration 2010-2013 to improve equality of opportunities.

Czech Republic: Several projects on digitalization and accessibility of culture were submitted within the Integrated Operational Programme in 2010.

Denmark: A new strategic plan Culture for All focuses on increasing participation, especially among the 30% who do not access public cultural activities.

Denmark: The recession and the working programme of the new government (Feb 2010) imply severe cuts in municipal cultural budgets.

Denmark: In February 2010, the new cultural minister stressed that he will work to secure plurality in the arts funding system.

Portugal: Language, cultural heritage, arts and creative and cultural industries are the main priorities of the Socialist government since 2009.

Portugal: The new INOV-Art programme provides placements in cultural organisations around the world for those under 35.

Portugal: In 2010 a Strategic Plan for State Museums was launched.

San Marino: New scholarships were made available to support the participation of young dancers from San Marino in high level events in Europe and abroad.

Switzerland: Changes to Pro Helvetia board will result from the new Law on the Promotion of Culture.

Switzerland: Following the interim suspension of the fixed book price agreement, the Federal Parliament is now discussing its reintroduction.

NEW STATISTICAL DATA

Denmark: The share of the state budget allocated for culture in 2009 was 1%.

Czech Republic: A study of the labour market in the cultural sector shows the importance of this sector to the Czech economy.

Czech Republic: In 2010 the new Programme of Film Industry Support will be implemented and is estimated to create 1 500 jobs in the film industrie and work for 2 500 actors.

Portugal: In four years, broadband internet access grew in Portugal from 20% to 46% (2009).

Portugal: The share allocated to culture in the central budget averaged 0.5% over a period of the thirteen years prior to 2010, compared to 1.1% for local government.

Portugal: Cultural participation has grown significantly between 1990 and 2008, apart from cinema.

Switzerland: Visiting concerts, historical monuments, and cinemas were among the most popular cultural activities in 2008.

Answering Your Questions

Contact the Compendium Editors for overall questions and comments:

Kathrin Merkle Council of Europe

Andreas Wiesand, ERICarts

Contact the Web Master with your technical questions:

Joerg Torkler, Medianale Group