CultureWatchEurope : Cultural governance observatory

CultureWatchEurope: Cultural governance observatory

Mission

The Council of Europe’s CultureWatchEurope Platform (CWE) promotes culture as "the soul of democracy" by offering an innovative and evidence-based overview of culture, heritage and media developments in Europe. CultureWatchEurope adds value to the Organisation’s existing information tools, programmes and methods by linking them and by inviting civil society to contribute.

CultureWatchEurope is value based, responsive, and aware: devised to pinpoint developments, difficulties, and good practices so that cultural governance and policy making can be enhanced Europe-wide, from a human rights perspective. Key words in this mission are: transparency, access and participation, respect for identity and diversity, intercultural dialogue and cultural rights.

Action includes:

generating and reviewing policy standards in areas of concern to governments and society by providing data, information, knowledge, comparative and trend analyses, expertise, advice, and case studies;

providing online information through joint access to the Council of Europe’s electronic information tools:

European Audiovisual Observatory

HEREIN: European Heritage Network

Compendium on cultural policies and trends in Europe

enabling rapid consultation of key cultural data from European states in order to compare achievements;

contributing to prospective analysis and forward thinking by addressing topical issues and emerging trends, developments and difficulties;

offering a platform for creative exchange and synergy between governments, cultural practitioners and civil society on key issues through major conferences.

Methods

The CWE electronic platform will provide a space for:

- sharing information and resources via joint access to three Council of Europe databases and thematic online spaces;

- engaging in an interactive policy debate through a forum linking key partners from the cultural sector as well as civil society actors and governments.

Annual CWE events, organised together with civil society representatives, address topical issues of concern to the cultural world, contribute to trend analysis and forward thinking.

Working methods will be steadily perfected and new technology provided to permit the best service for political stakeholders, partners and the public.