Speech - ecoc-doc-athens

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8Culture exists in all our doings, in all our activities. It is knowledge,education, behavior, responsibility, understanding and respect for thediversity and the opinion of others. It is creation, quality and a way of life.We have achieved a lot, but we have not managed to convince the centersof power in their negotiations and their decision making processes to takeinto consideration as much as they should the human being, theenvironment and culture.Our work is difficult. Culture is in any case generated by its power,creating its own momentum. Here lies its perennial strength. Culture hascycles of germination and renewal. It now appears that the power ofculture starts to grow again. I believe that it is this moment which willgive to the institution of Cultural Capital of Europe and the networks, theimpetus to unite their forces and work together for the promotion of thisnoble idea.But we have to consider that the emerging gap between public opinionand the policy of the centres of power is of a great concern. It is “the”outstanding issue according to Noam Chomsky.To bridge it, there is an ever greater need for cultural education not onlyin the sense of promoting literacy and thereby enhancing participation,but as a form of debate to allow people to shape their own destiny andbecome a creative force.When the level of culture, education and intellectual life rises, citizens willunderstand their daily problems more easily. They will evaluate theirproblems better and will face life with greater understanding and showgreater tolerance for the thinking and acting of other people.I want to quote the German Cultural State Minister Bernhard Neumannwho says about cultural education the following:“The involvement with art and culture determine personality and identity.It has a major influence upon individual development, upon thedevelopment of the senses, the formation of creative abilities, theemotional expression, the social competences.”I fully agree.To prove that cultural education is a must in our time, we have to provethe productivity of culture. For this reason the “network of networks” isplanning to organise a symposium with the theme “Productivity ofCulture”.Here I wish to give you an example.Sergei Kirienko, a special envoy of President Putin when he participated inour First International Symposium and now Minister of Atomic Energy ofRussia, said:“The Volga region in Russia, has more than 30 million inhabitants. Peoplerepresenting 142 different ethnic groups and six of the largest
9independent Russian republics, as well as 40% of the Russian Muslims. Ishould stress that in this region we find the border dividing Europe andAsia, the Oral Mountains”. In this region the concept of Cultural Capitalwas adopted with the following impact: “Within half a year of theimplementation of the Project, an enormous change had taken place: thepeople’s mentality had changed. I believe that this is the most importantachievement, which could influence the competitiveness of any region,because in this new innovative economy, the most important resource isthe human being, and not the industry”.The ECCM presented the exhibition “Twenty Years of History – EuropeanCultural Capital Cities” last march in Patras, this year’s cultural capital.More than 10 Greek students from the University of Patras under theguidance and coordination of Professor Haritantis have worked at theinternet café. The ECCM and these students from Patras collaborated withyoung people that came from Germany and other countries. It waswonderful to see all these young people working together. All of themwere very enthusiastic to participate in this program. The young peoplewho came from abroad were very dedicated to the Hermes program, likeJan Brueggemeier, the coordinator of Heritageradio and all the others whocame to Patras to make a proposal about future collaboration. I want tostress the importance of the Hermes project and about the experiences Ihave had so far with this project. I know how difficult it is to find moneyto continue this tremendous work which has began achieving so much.The magazine by heritageradio about European Cultural Capital Cities isan excellent example of this. It must not cease.We must all make sure these young people have a chance to continuedeveloping what they have set out to do in this modern and indeed globalsociety in which communication is so important.Much must be done to continue this project. Europe needs a voice inwhich culture and cultural heritage are brought together, thus broadeningthe horizon of the young people. Only when people get involved andparticipate in the development of Europe, has Europe a future.Our times demand that Europe becomes more powerful. It is imperativethat Europe should create the necessary structures to allow her to have astrong political presence.It is time for Europe to have its own independent voice, a political strategyand cultural policy.To bring about a debate, based on cultural knowledge, one needs torecognize that Europe has a great deal to say concerning theunderstanding between peoples, their cultures, their dignity and for thesake of peace to work for the good will and betterment of all mankind.Throughout the ages mankind has consistently sought progress andrenewal.
Page 4: 4• As part of the May 5 th 2002,
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