EUNIC Policy Flash
15 September 2014
Dear members of EUNIC network,
Welcome to the first edition of the EUNIC Policy Flash! You can find here information on cultural policies in the fields most relevant to EUNIC, interesting updates on calls, events, resources and EU funding. The Flash is sent exclusively to EUNIC members once a month, on top of EUNIC Newsletter, which is directed also to external contacts.
You can view or download information from this edition of the Flash on the EUNIC Intranet. If you require new login details please contact communications@eunic-online.eu for assistance.
Please let us know if you have any comments.
EUNIC team
Sections
Culture Education Youth
Multilingualism
Culture and Development
Culture and Conflict
Cultural Dialogue with China
Geographical Regions
Calls
Events
Resources
EU Funding
CULTURE EDUCATION YOUTH
Hungary’s Navracsics to be Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Citizenship
European Commission President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker has unveiled on 10 September the next European Union executive for the 2014-2019 period. The team will have to be approved by the European Parliament. As it turns out Hungary’s Tibor Navracsics will not be Commissioner for Trade or Commissioner for Customs, as suggested by previous press reports – Juncker surprisingly picked him to be Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Citizenship.
One in three Europeans more educated than parents, research finds
One in every three young Europeans has a higher level of education than their parents, according to new research.The findings are contained in the OECD’s « Education at a glance » report published on Tuesday (9 September) by the Paris-based think tank.
Getting a grip on the Erasmus generation
Steps are being taken to get a tighter hold on Europe’s three million Erasmus students past and present. The European Commission is in the process of setting up an alumni association that will support them during and after their time studying abroad and monitor their subsequent career paths.
French fear ‘cultural dumping’ from Netflix’s EU expansion
Netflix, the US-based Internet streaming TV network, is set to expand its services to an additional six European countries in the autumn. But France fears that its European affiliate, based in the Netherlands, will damage its homegrown audiovisual industry.
MULTILINGUALISM
Newly elected President of the Civil Society Platform to promote multilingualism
In March 2014, Bessie Dendrinos (Vassiliki Dendrinou in Greek), serving as delegate of the European Federation of National Institutions for Language (EFNIL) on the Civil Society Platform for Multilingualism (CSPM), was elected the CSPM’s new President, succeeding Uwe Mohr, delegate of EUNIC.
LangOER network aims at enhancing teaching and learning of less used languages through OER/OEP
How can less used languages, including Regional and Minority languages, benefit from Open Educational Practices (OEP)? How can Open Educational Resources (OER) be shaped to foster linguistic and cultural diversity in Europe? What policies are favourable to the uptake of quality OER in less used language communities?
CULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT
‘Concrete action’ needed on indigenous rights
In early August the EU issued a press release marking the celebration of the International day of the world’s indigenous peoples and announcing further funding for projects promoting the rights of indigenous peoples.
“It is critical that the EU continue to promote and advance recognition of these rights in the face of dangerous proposals being put forward by the World Bank that have potentially grave consequences for indigenous peoples.”
EU must speak out against ‘honour killings’
The European and international community must put pressure on Pakistan to protect the rights of women and respect the rule of law, argues Barbara Matera.
According to the Pakistani human rights commission, about 900 women are killed every year in ‘honour killings’ committed by their families. Few cases come to court and trials can take years.
CULTURE AND CONFLICT
U.S. and Iran Engage in Volleyball Diplomacy
Since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the Iranian and American people have been isolated from one another due to long-standing disputes between their governments. Routine interactions, like sporting events between national clubs, and other cultural exchanges have been few and far between. However, recently thousands of fans across Southern California were able to witness a rarity: the U.S. and Iranian national volleyball teams squaring off in friendly exhibition matches as part of a goodwill exchange between the two estranged nations.
Is there something about Islam?
Confronted with gruesome images of the brutality of ISIS, many people conclude that this violence is inherent to the faith itself, to Islam. But is there really something about Islam thatmakes its followers more prone to violence and intolerance than others.
CULTURAL DIALOGUE WITH CHINA
Vassiliou and Liu Yandong to hold talks over EU-China cooperation for education
The European Union and China plan to work more closely together in education, culture and youth policy as well as new areas including gender equality and efforts to address violence against women. These are among potential new priority areas for the ‘High-Level-People-to-People Dialogue’ (HPPD) between the EU and China, which aims to build trust and understanding between the two regions’ peoples.
Right is Wrong | contemporary art from China in Umeå, Sweden
As part of Umeå 2014 European Capital of Culture programme, the Bildmuseet Umeå University presents a major exhibition of contemporary art from China. The exhibition Right is Wrong / Four Decades of Chinese Art from the M+ Sigg Collection presents the rapid emergence of contemporary art in China.
GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS
Europe
Central Europe gets a facelift
Taking pride in your neighbourhood and encouraging positive development that attracts investment are worthy goals most people would agree with. But cities throughout Europe often struggle with the sometimes dirty word ‘gentrification’. How to keep a city’s soul while revitalising rundown areas?
Asia & Oceania
EU-Azerbaijan: reaffirmed commitment to promote democracy and human rights
Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle met with the representatives of the Civil Society in Azerbaijan on Monday in Baku to stress the importance the EU attaches to the Civil Society as a partner for the authorities in the country, as a partner for the EU as well as in the framework of the Eastern Partnership. The meeting offered opportunity to exchange views about the activities of the civil society in Azerbaijan, its engagement with the authorities and the recent crackdown on prominent human rights activists.
MENA
Tunisia seeks to develop efficient vocational education and training system, report finds
Tunisia is for the third time taking part in the European Training Foundation’s Torino Process, conducting a self-assessment of the state of its vocational education and training (VET). The country seeks “to develop a national system for vocational education and training that not only responds to the needs of business, but also the individuals, society in general, and the regions,” according to Mounir Dakhli, Director General at the Ministry of Vocational Training and Employment.
Sub-Saharan Africa
The EU is about to launch its first ever multi-donor development trust fund, in support of the Central African Republic (CAR). With an initial amount of €64 million the fund creates an effective and coordinated international instrument to help the population of the country and contribute to its stabilization.
Americas
MEPs wary of commission’s approach to TTIP negotiations
The European commission’s TTIP proposals could lead Europe « down a regulatory race to the bottom » and there is « a growing sense of unease and concern » surrounding the negotiations, say MEPs. « The leaked commission papers show that it is pushing for the mutual recognition of banking and finance rules that would enable market players to do business across the Atlantic under the laws that apply in their own jurisdiction.”
CALLS
EFFE Festival Label 2015-2016: Applications are open!
EFFE is a European Commission pilot project for a European Platform for Festivals in the field of culture initiated by the European Festivals Association (EFA), the umbrella organisation for festivals across Europe and beyond, and will run 2014-2015. The online application form must be submitted at the latest by 15 November 2014.
Open Call for Travel Grants: Roberto Cimetta Fund
The Roberto Cimetta Fund is launching the second 2014 open call for travel grants from 1st to 30th September 2014. Artists and cultural operators living and working in the Euro-Arab geographical region can apply in Arabic, English or French. Priority is given to mobility from the South and East of these regions.
Deadline for receiving applications 30 September
Fukuoka Asian Art Museum: Open Call for residence programs for artists, researchers and curators
Artists and researchers/curators will be selected from 21 countries/regions in Asia. The program will be placing even more importance on « exchange » with the museum visitors and local community through a creative channel of art. Deadline: 30 September.
Mediterranean Centre study grants
The museum of civilisations from Europe and the Mediterranean (MuCEM) and the Institut national du patrimoine (Inp) joined forces to create the Mediterranean centre for cultural heritage (I2MP). This institute offers a training program for professionals from the Mediterranean area. Courses are taught in French.
The Business circle of the friends of the MuCEM exceptionally offers study grants to allow foreign cultural heritage professionals to take part in these trainings.
Candidates must send their registration request with a CV and a cover letter indicating the training requested to aude.fanlo@mucem.org
EVENTS
The Conference will have a thought-provoking aim: to look beyond the obvious to explore the future borders and edges of culture and move beyond those conventional assumptions, beliefs and practices that impede the contribution of culture to social and economic regeneration at a local, national and European level.
9-11 0ctober 2014, Newcastle Gateshead (UK)
Arterial Network’s 4th African Creative Economy Conference
Arterial Network’s 4th African Creative Economy Conference (ACEC 2014) will highlight best practices in cultural entrepreneurship and further explore the role of arts and culture in development and democracy.
The ACEC 2014 will build on theoretical expositions of preceding conferences, particularly the need to map the different sectors of African creative economies, unpacking and understanding points of strength and weaknesses in the value chains and analyzing the different environments that make for a successful sector in different countries.
RESOURCES
First cultural mobility experiences for European artists and cultural professionals in China
On the Move, the cultural mobility information network, launches its new online publication First cultural mobility experiences for European artists and cultural professionals in China: a repertory of web-links, developed to help artists and cultural players prepare their first travel(s) to China – and make the most out of it.
Culture & Development No.11 World Heritage in the Caribbean
The results of the Second Periodic Report on the State of World Heritage in Latin America and the Caribbean were presented at the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Phnom Penh (Cambodia), in June 2013.
The British Council publishes “Why Culture Matters”, taking stock of the Preparatory Action report
After the 2014 International Culture Summit, taking place in Edinburgh, between the 10th and the 12th of August, and as a result, the British Council has published a report entitled “Culture matters – Why culture should be at the heart of future public policy“.
EU FUNDING
Creative Europe – Calls for Proposals & Tenders
Support to European cooperation projects
Reference: EACEA/32/2014
Deadline: 01/10/2014
Study on the « Circulation of European films: the distribution sector perspective »
Reference: EAC/27/2014
Deadline: 06/10/2014
Reference: EAC/S16/2014
Deadline: 24/09/2014
Creative Europe Desks
List of Creative Europe Desks with country specific advice
Erasmus +
National Agencies for Erasmus +
List of National Agencies for Erasmus + with country specific info and advice
Europe Aid information on funding
Call for proposals for grants and procurement notices for contracts
European External Action Service
EU Delegation country specific tenders and contracts
Europe for Citizens
Enlargement
Technical Assistance and Information Exchange
Structural Funds
