This document discusses cultural heritage and European policies. It argues that while the EU does not have direct powers over culture, the Lisbon Treaty mandates the EU to safeguard and enhance Europe's cultural heritage. However, responsibilities for cultural heritage are split across different directorates general in the European Commission. The document calls for cultural heritage to become a flagship priority that cuts across policy areas. It outlines actions for Europa Nostra, a civil society group, to take on greater leadership and coordination roles to strengthen cultural heritage protection in Europe.

1. CULTURAL HERITAGE AND
EUROPEAN POLICIES
Prof. Dr.Cristina Gutierrez-Cortines.MEP
“Saving Europe’s Endangered Heritage”
EUROPA NOSTRA FORUM
Lisboa. 1 June 2012

2. Cultural Heritage: a complementary
attribution.
• The EU do not have any attributions in
other areas either, but it has made many
recomendations and has created a
doctrine: Erasmus in education or equality
for women.
• This explains the weakness of policies
and initiatives

3. Reasons for this Inhibition
• Member States demand • The Commission was
more exclusive powers affraid of the Council and
on Culture as the of the refusal of
guardian of identity. proposals.
• They try to preserve a • It did not know how to
sort of private space safe create actions that gave it
from intrusions. leadership. It has never
proposed Cultural
Heritage and Research .

4. Hostility and resistance exists when
talking about a common European
culture.
In all fields: thinking, music,
literature, heritage.

5. Official voices used to say:
European culture is diverse.
We can´t fall in this trap.

6. But things are moving
• However, the Lisbon Treaty has changed
something.
• I dare to say that the scene and the
assessment of heritage is also changing in
Europe

7. Heritage and the Treaty of Lisbon
• The Treaty of the European Union is the basis of
the principles and values of the European Union.
• Art 3.4. “"TheUnion (...) shall respect
its rich cultural and linguistic diversity,
and shall ensure that Europe’s
cultural heritage is safeguarded and
enhanced."

8. A mandate without any answer.
• These words are a mandate and they
require an extended answer from the
European Commission.
• BUT:
The defense and protection does not
depend of DG Culture in many cases.

9. Other articles of the Lisbon Treaty
also include Heritage.
• Art.167.1 TFEU:
"The Union shall contribute to the flowering of
the cultures of the Member States, while
respecting their national and regional
diversity and at the same time bringing the
common cultural heritage to the fore."

10. Other articles of the Lisbon Treaty
also include Heritage.
• Art 167.2 TFEU:
"Action by the Union shall be aimed at encouraging
cooperation between Member States and, if
necessary, supporting and supplementing their
action in the (...) areas of improvement of the
knowledge and dissemination of the culture and
history of the European peoples, conservation and
safeguarding of cultural heritage of European
significance, the non-commercial cultural exchanges
and artistic and literary creation, including in the
audiovisual sector."

11. Other articles of the Lisbon Treaty
also include Heritage.
• Art 167.4 TFEU:
“The Union shall take cultural aspects into
account in its action under other provisions
of the Treaties, in particular in order to
respect and to promote the diversity of its
cultures."

12. Split structure of the European
Commission
• Since Europe has 27 Member States, its
structure and the decision making process
has been fragmented.
• 27 Member States. 27 Directorate
Generals.

13. What is the situation?
• DG. Culture, Education and Sports.
• DG Culture has began some weak actions
but it doesn’t have enough strength or
recognition.
• The Council does not support it.
• Budget is controlled by countries and MPs
rejecting any culture coordination.

14. Cultural Heritage a Transversal
flagship
• The instruments to coordinate this fragmented
structure has been the European Flagships.
• In these last mandates, the EU has
coordinated its policies making some
issues a priority in the 1990s
Sustainability, 2000s Climate Change,
2005s Energie,
• This is what is needed with Culture. Culture has
to become a priority.

15. Cultural Heritage should
become a Priority
• Links need to be created through Culture
and -
Industry and Environment
Economics and Tourism.
Regional development and cities.
Research and Innovation.

16. What is Europa Nostra going to do?
• Europa Nostra represents the civil society,
and as such its influence is growing.
• Through great effort, constant social
presence and recognition awards, quality
actions are flourishing now.
• Next step is to get the leadership through
action.

17. Three actions already mentioned
• Increase its presence within European
Institutions.
• Increase leadership and coordination with
other associations.
• Strengthen its mission of protection.
• Grantnig of awards for best practices.
• List and report heritage in danger.

18. Many thanks
It will be an honor for me to work with you.
In the end, preservation of heritage lies in
love, conviction and courage.