Culture, audiovisual, media and sport, 4 April 2022
Ministers for culture and media and ministers for sport discussed the European response to the war in Ukraine in their respective policy areas. They also approved conclusions on reinforcing intercultural exchanges through the mobility of artists and multilingualism, on a European strategy for the cultural and creative industries ecosystem, and on sport and physical activity as a lever to transform behaviour for sustainable development. Finally, sport ministers discussed the promotion of European values through sport and the organisation of sport.
Culture
Protecting the cultural sector in Ukraine
Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine has forced hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, including many artists, journalists, and cultural and media workers, to flee the war. The indiscriminate shelling of urban centres in Ukraine also endangers Ukraine’s cultural heritage.
Ministers invited the Ukrainian Minister for Culture, Oleksandr Tkachenko, to address the Council via videoconference. They then exchanged views on the various measures already taken both at member state and EU level to support the Ukrainian cultural sector. They also explored the possibility of further joint actions to ensure the coherence, complementarity and coordination of efforts in support of the cultural, creative and media sectors and their stakeholders in response to this crisis.
This exchange of views follows up on the informal meeting of EU culture and media ministers held in Angers on 7 and 8 March, where ministers approved a declaration on the situation in Ukraine.
Approval of Council conclusions on reinforcing intercultural exchanges and on a European strategy for cultural and creative industries
The Council approved conclusions on reinforcing intercultural exchanges through the mobility of artists and cultural and creative professionals, and through multilingualism in the digital era. These conclusions call on member states to promote cooperation between cultural authorities and those responsible for administrative issues related to mobility. The EU wishes to encourage mobility and exchanges among European artists and creative and cultural professionals, in particular by guaranteeing them better access to mobility opportunities within the EU.
The conclusions also call for the development of an ambitious digital policy for the development of language technologies, translation and lifelong language learning and teaching. The EU wants to take advantage of new technologies to foster multilingualism, which nurtures cultural exchanges and facilitates access to culture.
The Council also approved conclusions on building a European strategy for the cultural and creative industries ecosystem, a sector that employed 8.02 million people in the EU in 2019. The strategy is structured around five pillars:
- improving access to finance for European businesses in the cultural and creative industries ecosystem;
- stimulating skills development and enhancement, as well as education and training;
- preserving and reaffirming Europe’s cultural richness and diversity in the digital age;
- strengthening exports by businesses in the cultural and creative industries ecosystem;
- promoting responsible policies in businesses in the cultural and creative industries ecosystem.
- Council conclusions on “Reinforcing intercultural exchanges through the mobility of artists and cultural and creative professionals, and through multilingualism in the digital era”
- Council Conclusions on “Building a European Strategy for the Cultural and Creative Industries Ecosystem”
Sport
Promoting EU values through sport and the organisation of sport in the context of the war in Ukraine
Ministers listened to the testimony of their Ukrainian counterpart, Vadym Huttsait, who spoke via videoconference. They then discussed what role sport stakeholders could play in promoting and defending European values. The war in Ukraine and the strong, united and solidarity-based reaction it has prompted from the member states, private and public organisations and European citizens have demonstrated a strong commitment to the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Sport, through its universal reach as well as its organisational model in Europe, must continue to live up to the expectations and aspirations of European citizens. Ministers also emphasised the role of the sport movement in defending these European values and showing solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
Following on from the Council Resolution adopted on 30 November 2021 on the key features of a European sport model, ministers also deliberated on the development of the organisation of sport in Europe, in order to respond to the emergence of new stakeholders, new practices and new expectations of civil society. By maintaining a common foundation around the social, educational, cultural and health functions of sport, ministers discussed proposals for structural change which the sport movement is invited to act upon.
Sport and physical activity, a promising lever to transform behaviour for sustainable development
The Council approved conclusions on sport and physical activity, a promising lever to transform behaviour for sustainable development.
The aim of the text is to speed up behavioural change:
- on the one hand, among individual and collective practitioners, producers and consumers of sporting goods and services, businesses involved in sports infrastructure, and organisers of events to reduce the impact that each of those has on the environment, biodiversity and climate;
- on the other hand, to better position sport as a lever for education and for taking account of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Member states, the Commission and the sport movement have already made significant efforts and progress in this area. The conclusions take account of these efforts, but are aimed at accelerating them, intensifying them and, above all, accentuating their European dimension.
Two years after the Olympic and Paralympic Games returned to Europe – first the summer games, then the winter ones – ministers wished to affirm their determination to ensure that all sporting events be eco-responsible and sustainable.
- Council conclusions on “Sport and physical activity, a promising lever to transform behaviour for sustainable development”
Any other business
The Slovak Minister for Culture informed delegations about the selection of Trenčín as 2026 European Capital of Culture.
Italy shared information about the Conference of the Ministers for Culture of the Euro-Mediterranean region to be held in Naples on 16-17 June 2022.
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania stressed the need to coordinate European actions in the culture and media field to support Ukraine.
During the policy debate, the Polish delegation detailed the impact of the war in Ukraine on the sports sector in Europe.
Finally, the Czech delegation presented the work programme of its forthcoming presidency in the field of culture, audiovisual and sports.
The Council also adopted without discussion the items on the list of legislative and non-legislative ‘A’ items.
Assistance to the Republic of Moldova
The EU will provide macro-financial assistance of €150 million to the Republic of Moldova. It is aimed at supporting Moldova’s economic stabilisation and reform agenda. The assistance will contribute to strengthening Moldova’s resilience in the current geopolitical context. The Council adopted this decision today.
- Council adopts €150 million assistance to the Republic of Moldova (press release, 4 April 2022)
- EU relations with the Republic of Moldova (background information)
Agenda highlights on 5 April 2022
5 April 2022
- 08:00 Arrivals (Education)
- 09:30 Public session (Education)
- TBC Arrivals (Youth)
- 12:30 Press conference (Education)
- 15:00 Public session (Youth)
- 18:00 Press conference (Youth)
Education and youth, 5 April 2022
Effective European higher education cooperation
Deeper and more effective transnational cooperation in the higher education sector across Europe is key to:
- supporting Union values, identity and democracy
- building the resilience of Europe’s society and economy
- building a sustainable future
Ministers are expected to adopt a Council recommendation on building bridges for effective European higher education cooperation.
European strategy empowering higher education institutions
There is a global demand for high-quality and inclusive education, excellent research and innovation in emerging countries.
Ministers are expected to approve conclusions on a European strategy empowering higher education institutions for the future of Europe.
Enhancing teachers’ and trainers’ mobility
Member states are invited to encourage education and training institutions to embed teachers’ and trainers’ mobility in their learning, development and strategies at a more international level.
Ministers are expected to approve conclusions on enhancing teachers’ and trainers’ mobility, in particular European mobility, during their initial and in-service education and training.
Strengthening crisis management and anticipation in the European education area
Education systems are heavily impacted by crises and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is having a major impact on children, young people and education staff.
Access to education, and more broadly socialisation in the school and university context, are vital for the future of children and young adults, and for their general balance, well-being and personal development.
Ministers will hold a policy debate on strengthening crisis management and anticipation in the European education area.
Mobility of young volunteers
The EU wants to increase awareness of the benefits of volunteering activities through information, guidance and outreach activities, focussing specifically on young people with fewer opportunities.
Ministers are expected to adopt a Council recommendation on the mobility of young volunteers across the European Union.
Environment: fostering engagement among young people
Young people should have access to reliable evidence-based information and data to enable them to make informed judgements concerning environmental, biodiversity and climate change challenges and solutions, and to develop and strengthen their critical thinking skills.
Ministers are expected to approve conclusions on fostering engagement among young people as actors of change for protecting the environment.
Any other business
- Information from the presidency on the declaration of education ministers to build a shared vision on the effectiveness, efficiency and equity of education investments
- Third high-level meeting of education ministers; in the framework of the ninth ‘Environment for Europe’ Ministerial Conference (Nicosia, 5-7 October 2022)
- Presidency report on the discussion held during the informal lunch in the framework of the EU youth dialogue
- Work programme of the forthcoming Czech presidency in the field of education and youth