A Change for the year 2008

“The traditions of cultures and civilizations on both shores of the Mediterranean, dialogue between cultures, along with human, scientific and technologic exchange are a basic component of understanding, which improve mutual relations between different peoples.” After thirteen years since the signing of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership in Barcelona – which the previous chapter on the social, cultural and human is a quote of- the European Union is on the point of implementing a major change in bilateral and multilateral policies and initiatives in the Mediterranean basin in the areas of culture, youth and audiovisuals.Financial cooperation. In addition to the “Euromed” program for territorial cooperation in Europe, restricted to the Twenty-Seven EU Member States and presented past November after the adoption of the document “Strategy for the development of Euro-Mediterranean cultural heritage: priority of Mediterranean Countries (2007-2013)”, the European Commission recently launched the new edition of the program “Euromed Heritage IV” for financial cooperation with Mediterranean Countries, directed by EuropeAid head offices. The program is open to the participation of recipient Countries of the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument (Algeria, Armenia, Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and of the Gaza Strip, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Russian Federation, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Moldavia, Syria, Tunisia, Ukraine), of the Countries connected to the EU by the so-called pre-adhesion Instruments (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FYROM, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo, Turkey) and of the Countries member of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway). Stepping up dialogue. The general objective of “Euromed Heritage IV” consists in “stepping up mutual understanding and the dialogue between cultures through the promotion of the cultural patrimony of the Mediterranean and public awareness initiatives”. Special emphasis is placed upon the “appropriation” of cultural goods on the part of the population, education and access to knowledge. There are two specific objectives: on the one side, the contribution to public awareness in Euro-Mediterranean partner Countries as relates to the importance and richness of cultural heritage, encouraging access to the knowledge of culture and promoting its efficient and integrated implementation by the competent authorities; on the other, the creation of social and economic spin-off at local and regional levels, an aspect which was neglected by previous programs. Cross-sectional aspects. In view of the fact that the European Union intends to go further than granting subsidies as an end in themselves, since these don’t contribute to the actual improvement of the quality of life of the recipients (including spiritual enrichment), the project’s vade-mecum explicitly refers to a series of “cross-sectional aspects” which the proposals must envisage. These include equal opportunities and environmental protection, while the topic of the human rights occupies a primary role. To this regard the text declares: “cultural diversity can be considered a human right on the same level of education: human dignity passes by the recognition of individual cultural identity”. Seven kinds of action. The communication and visibility of the projects’ content, along with the dissemination and use of its outcomes are equally viewed as priorities. Measures that can be financed by “Euromed Heritage IV” are divided into seven categories: information campaign, cultural awareness education and awareness; publication and training; development of preservation and enhancement management plans; innovation activities in the field of museums and cultural events; North-South and South-South twinship to promote local development; support to the creation, planning and management of periphery museums in the framework of vocational training; tourist initiatives connected to the safeguard of craftsmanship and cultural traditions. Also corporate bodies participate. Lastly, it is worthwhile noting that the program also envisages the participation of non-profit corporate bodies actively committed in the cultural field and with their seat in one of the eligible States. Such bodies include: non governmental organizations, cultural associations, operators in the public and private sectors, research institutes, universities, regional and local authorities, inter-governmental international organizations. The call for tender of “Euromed Heritage IV”, which will expire next February 15th, can be consulted on the website http://www.euromedheritage.net.