A few thoughts by Robert Palmer (Council of Europe)
The Council of Europe, among its many functions, collects information and monitors developments in 50 European countries. All of our work in culture and heritage is related in some way to the theme of the right to culture framed as a human right. "Cultural rights" include, but are not limited to: rights to access to culture, participation in culture, and the right to freedom of expression. Particular attention is paid to the rights of minorities, and to approaches linked to the management of increasingly diverse communities in European societies.
Using the 'Compendium' and a great many other means of gathering information, we are trying to examine ‘macro-trends’ that affect culture in Europe. To this effect, we have formed a special platform called ‘CultureWatch Europe’ (see more under www.coe.int/culture).
From my perspective, the landscape for cultural policy in Europe is now very challenging. The focus seems to be on re-invention, re-engineering, reform – almost everywhere. These are positive words in abstract – but my concern reflects as well a few worrying signs and their implications in terms of implementation.
Part of "Helsinki Trilogy", with IFACCA and CWE events
At the invitation of the Finnish Government (Ministry of Education and Culture), the 11th annual Assembly of Compendium Experts will be held as part of a trilogy of cultural policy events on June 27 - 29, 2012 at the House of the Estates in Helsinki (Finland).
The aim is to encourage further exchanges between IFACCA, the Compendium and the CultureWatchEurope (CWE) Initiative. As well, members of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media are expected to participate in Helsinki and create added value by co-operating on jointly shared cultural policy interests. The organisers hope to further improve the content of the Compendium information system and, at the same time, facilitate future pan-European and international research efforts.
The suggested overall topic Participation in culture (see draft agenda) stems from PACE’s recent draft Report on the Right of everyone to take part in cultural life and resonates perfectly with the Compendium work at respective Assemblies 2010 and 2011, as well as CWE work and conferences 2009-2011. The participation of guests is envisaged with registration to start soon.
In order to maintain or further enhance the quality and the scope of the Compendium and to comply with European practices addressing good governance, transparency and equal opportunities, an Open Call of Interest for "Lead" and "Contributing Experts" had been launched last year (deadline 31. December 2011). With 33 qualified applications arriving within a few weeks, this call should indeed be considered a success. The Compendium editors and Anna Villaroya (representing the existing experts' community via the European Association of Cultural Researchers e.V.) are currently examining the results - decisions are to be expected until early March.
New experts may participate in the updating of country profiles, contribute to the overall system with their particular expertise (e.g. in present or additional Working Groups), advise on comparative methods, take over specific editorial tasks, or help to conduct monitoring exercises. If new country profiles are to be prepared or current authors wish to retire, Contributing Experts could also be first in line to be considered as future Lead Experts in the Compendium system. Check here details of the Call!
Sarah Gardner, Executive Director of IFACCA, the global network of arts councils and ministries of culture, unveiled on 3 October the prototype of www.worldcp.org, a new international database of cultural policies and trends. With its country-specific profiles of cultural policies and its focus on cultural diversity, WorldCP has been modelled on the Council of Europe / ERICarts Compendium of Cultural Policies and Trends in Europe.At the launch , the Compendium community of practice was represented by Ritva Mitchell (ERICarts Institute / Cupore). Compendium webmaster Joerg Torkler has been one of the architects in the construction of the new site.
Background: Over the last years, Compendium coverage of European cultural policies and trends has been enhanced and linked with broader global challenges and achievements. New content on issues such as "Cultural Rights & Ethics" or "Intercultural Dialogue" was introduced and international monitoring needs of the users in governments and NGOs, e.g. as concerns the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, are now being addressed. As a result, the number of Compendium users from outside of Europe increased and new international partnerships or research projects emerged. In 2008, an "OPEN Compendium" Initiative was launched in Baku (Azerbaijan) by the authors and editors of the information system, some of which started to advise colleagues around the world in preparing new country profiles, e.g. in the Arab countries, Australia, Asia and USA.
The ICC Index - with a focus on the intercultural integration of migrants and minorities - attempts to assess and compare the current status and performance of now 35 cities (with more to come in the near future).
Cities of Botkyrka, Campi Bisenzio, Erlangen, Lodi, Reggio Emilia, Rubicone, Senigalla and Torino were recently added to the ICC Index!
The ICC Index aims to start needed debates by highlighting a few facts and processes which suggest the level of interculturality of a city.
Compare different cities and indicators at 
ICC Charts
For more information on individual city results see City Profiles
NEW! Welcome to the Czech Republic in the Compendium!
Cyprus and Bosnia and Herzegovina plan to deliver their first national cultural policy profiles.
As well, preparations for the first cultural policy profiles ever will start in Andorra and Belarus.
The number of country profiles will then grow to 46 countries.
Presents integrated information on cross-cutting, transversal issues of priority to cultural policy makers and analysts:
Updated comparative tables and graphs on population, participation, markets, employment, public funding
NEW! Facebook users in Europe and CUPIX 2011 (Cultural Price Index on Goods and Services)
Updated comparative tables on cultural policy governance and other issues.
Compilation of articles on comparative methodologies and the links between research and policy development
Publish your work in this space by submitting your articles for review!
The Compendium Community is engaged in a number of exercises to monitor the implementation of:
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Sarah Gardner...is the founding Executive Director of IFACCA, the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies, which is based in Sydney, Australia.
Council of Europe/ERICarts, "Compendium of Cultural Policies and Trends in Europe, 13th edition", 2012 | ISSN 2222-7334
