Directorate of Democratic Governance, Culture and Diversity
 

Democracy is the third key dimension of the Council of Europe’s thematic work together with Human Rights and the rule of law, with which it is closely connected. The Council of Europe’s work on democracy is grounded in the assumption that democratic governance is essential for the effective protection of Human Rights and to ensure stability, continuity and sustainable development. As one of the key democratic Organisations in Europe, the Council of Europe acts both as a benchmark and a laboratory of democratic governance, and plays a key role in setting the agenda for democratic standards across its 47 Member States.

The newly established Directorate of Democratic Governance, Culture and Diversity will have important responsibilities in managing many of the Organisation’s programmes and activities linked to democratic governance and promoting sustainable democratic societies.

Robert Palmer has been appointed as Director.

Now included in the Directorate’s functions are the following:

Local and Regional Government Co-operation

Expertise for Local Government Reform

Civil Society and the work of International Non-Governmental Organisations

Work in post-conflict areas through confidence-building measures and pre-electoral assistance

Cultural and Natural Heritage and Landscape (including relevant Conventions and follow up through HEREIN, regional co-operation activities and European Heritage Days)

Biodiversity (including the Bern Convention)

Technical Assistance in Culture and Cultural Heritage

Cultural Policy and Follow-Up Instruments (including the Compendium and CultureWatchEurope)

Intercultural Dialogue and the Management of Diversity (including Intercultural Cities, Academic Network on Romani Studies, MARS and SPARDA)

Cultural Events

Art exhibitions

Artists for dialogue

In addition, the Directorate will oversee several Partial agreements:

EURIMAGES Partial Agreement

European and Mediterranean Major Hazards Partial Agreement (EUR-OPA)

Cultural Routes Enlarged Partial Agreement

European Audiovisual Observatory

The architecture of websites and other information tools will be revised in the light of the changes. In the meantime, details of all programmes and activities of the new Directorate are available on several different websites:

www.coe.int/culture

www.coe.int/localdemocracy

www.coe.int/ngo

For further information or questions, please email culturedoc@coe.int.