Cultural heritage is both the manifestation of cultural diversity passed down from previous generations and a resource for sustainable cultural, social, environmental and economic development in Europe. Conservation, preservation and safeguarding, research, educational activities and knowledge transfer, financing, participatory governance and contemporary interpretation are key areas that will benefit from a comprehensive strategic approach. During the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018, a large number of diverse activities took place all across Europe. To ensure its legacy, follow-up measures and mainstreaming activities need to be developed, including an Action Plan for Cultural Heritage by the Commission. The work of the European Year's national coordinators should be taken into account as well.

Access to culture and participation in cultural life promote individual empowerment, democratic consciousness and social cohesion through exchanges with other people and civic engagement. Changing user behaviour due to digitalisation, ageing and culturally diverse societies call for a better understanding of different audiences. A stronger orientation towards the interests and needs of specific groups, such as young people, older people, people with disabilities, people with a migrant background and people living in poverty or material deprivation, is necessary. Digital technologies are an asset for audience development and innovative methods of participation. Cross-sectoral cooperation with other areas, such as education, social care, healthcare, science and technology, and regional and urban development, has a significant effect on cohesion and well-being. Special attention should be paid to the role of culture at local level, to the quality of architecture and the living environment and to culture-led social innovations contributing to the development of cities and regions across the EU.

Artistic freedom is closely linked to the social and economic conditions of cultural professionals and institutions. The cultural and creative sectors in Europe are characterised by self-employment, small- and micro-enterprises, and cultural and linguistic diversity. Artists and cultural and creative professionals tend to have project-based careers and a high degree of mobility, while they often have an irregular and unpredictable income and combine several jobs to earn a living. Innovation is particularly driven by individual artists, creators and small cultural institutions, whose value creation is mainly based on intangible assets, such as original ideas, know-how and creativity. In order to increase Europe's competitiveness and to stimulate innovation, Europe must build on its creative and cultural assets. The mobility of artists and cultural and creative professionals, the circulation and translation of European content, training and talent development, fair pay and working conditions, access to finance and cross-border cooperation are issues of specific interest for research and exchange at European level.

Gender equality is a pillar of cultural diversity. Culture has a key role to play in challenging stereotypes and promoting societal changes. Yet intersectional gender gaps persist in almost all cultural and creative sectors. Women as artists and cultural professionals have less access to creation and production resources, are generally paid much less than men and are under-represented in leadership and other decision-making positions as well as on the art market. These disparities need to be acknowledged and tackled by specific policies and measures. In order to raise awareness at political and administrative levels and within the different sectors, there is a need for comprehensive data and an exchange of good practice.

Building on the notion that culture is a value in its own right, the international cultural relations of the EU should strengthen awareness of the vital role of culture and its positive socio-economic effects, which address important issues and challenges at global level. A strategic step-by-step approach to international cultural relations followed by concrete actions for its implementation is necessary. Such an approach should entail a bottom-up perspective, encourage people-to-people contacts and promote intercultural dialogue. Full complementarity with Member States' actions and actions carried out by the Council of Europe and UNESCO has to be ensured.

European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage

First-ever European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage, presented by Tibor Navracsics, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport at the Closing conference of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 in Vienna on December 7