IV Lessons Learned
Conclusions // Lessons Learned
The projects presented in this document best illustrate, using concrete examples taken from different regions of the world, the diverse range of possibilities for cooperation in the cultural field.
Consequently, they all apply to different sectors of activity, means of intervention, results, objectives or budget. They range from one-off micro-projects to global development programmes covering expansive geographic areas; nonetheless they all share the common result of having a positive impact in terms of "human development" (namely, in terms of the economic resources generated, social inclusion and cohesion, increasingly transparent dialogue between communities, “citizen-based” education, better governance in the public and private sector, individual accomplishment) and a better quality of life for the beneficiary groups.
// Impact
The recent New York summit (September 2010) on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) clearly recognised the role of culture in development and in the achievement of the MDGs.
In particular, the experiences illustrated throughout this brochure demonstrate the potential role and contribution of culture in terms of social cohesion, but also individual and collective well-being and combating poverty, in each part of the world.
In terms of social development:
The social inclusion of marginalised categories of the population and the promotion of dialogue or behavioural changes has been approached in an effective manner through the cultural sector. Artistic expression calling upon the sensitive nature of individuals is a favoured method of communicating one or more messages and stimulating a community to become involved so as to promote social progress.
In terms of economic development
Promoting heritage and cultural resources is, in the examples illustrated, a fundamental factor for socio-economic development in regions and settings where there are few other resources for growth. These projects, aimed at the economic structuring of a clearly identified cultural and creative field of activity, have enabled the creation of jobs and added value, and represent a source of growth for the target populations.
In terms of human development and intercultural dialogue
With measurable results, some projects have been included in research and support for individual accomplishment in all of its values and complexities. They have additionally bolstered the capacity and willingness for dialogue between different communities in addition to the possibility of preventing or reducing conflicts.
// Challenges and lessons learned
The projects outlined in this brochure additionally highlight the challenges which must be overcome so as to ensure the effectiveness and desired impact of cooperation projects in the cultural field. There is, in this area, a clear requirement for identifying, promoting and optimising resources, needs, methods and projects, but also for qualifications and professionalisation of those who are responsible for creating projects and those stakeholders involved in their completion; additionally, there is a need for distribution and circulation of creative works which are all too rarely accessible for people in the southern hemisphere and, finally, a need for coherence and sustainability of these projects, respecting people and the environments concerned.
Projects must explicitly integrate the concrete relations between planned initiatives, expected results and the impact in terms of development for the beneficiary populations. These relations should be identifiable and measurable, and influence the design of projects, their implementation and to their assessment.
Projects should integrate factors at the design stage to ensure the sustainability of the activities developed. The sustainability of projects is a guarantee of their long-term impact for beneficiary populations.
Projects should be smoothly integrated into the local economy so it can make a meaningful contribution, while allowing productive complementary relationships with other areas of local economic and social life.
Projects in the cultural field require a relatively long period of preparation to ensure the achievement of measurable results. In order to guarantee long-term support from the partners and authorities concerned, project designers and project leaders in this field should, in this regard, be able to demonstrate, over time, the precise link between the activities which receive funding and resulting development.
// Conditions underpinning success
Generally speaking, it is widely accepted that the relationship between Culture and Development involves pro-active policymaking and operational and institutional convergence. This convergence is reflected at field level with the desire to achieve an impact with the most complementary and sustainable partners (public and private) possible, where appropriate.
But, in practice, what are the common characteristics of projects which have successfully placed culture at the heart of development?
The handful of projects illustrated in this brochure have common characteristics which have ensured their success.
// They are based on the promotion of artistic, cultural or local heritage resources, existing in the local communities or geographical areas targeted (identification of these resources and their potential form the foundations of the design and development process for these projects).
// They are based on deep-rooted knowledge of the realities of the areas concerned (they meet the clearly identified needs of operators or the population from the sector or geographical areas where they are carried out).
// They originate with local operators who ensure their “appropriation” (they ensure the participation of local communities and potential beneficiaries during all stages of the project).
// They adopt a coherent approach adapted to the social and cultural environment in which they are led (they fully integrate all cultural specificities and local ways of living, and the respect of each individual through all aspects).
// They are globally coherent whilst being aimed at highly-targeted sectors, such as the promotion of local expertise (they integrate other dimensions such as the promotion of architectural heritage, the environment, etc.).
// They include a dimension which allows them to be undertaken over the long term and to ensure the sustainability of proposed and developed activities.
// Future opportunities
The impressive but as yet insufficient number of ratifications of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, five years after its adoption in 2005, the results of the New York summit on MDGs in September 2010, and the need to make progress with the objectives outlined by the European Agenda for Culture for 2013 all constitute a powerful incentive for moving forward and making progress in the synergy between culture and development.
The intensive dialogue between the European Commission and UNESCO, the African Union, the ACP Group of States, the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, the World Bank and other regional organisations clearly shows the desire to better manage efforts to place culture at the heart of the sustainable development of our societies, both in Europe and elsewhere.
These interactions have been specifically developed through:
- The Work Plan for Culture 2011-2014, adopted under the Belgian Presidency of the European Council on 18 November 2010, which includes, as a priority objective, developing a strategic approach to culture in external relations.
- Setting up the first joint meeting of the Working Party on Development Cooperation (CODEV) and the Cultural Affairs Committee (CAC) of the European Council to formalise the association between culture and development in discussions between Member States and the Commission (9 June 2011).
- The first informal meeting in Pécs between senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture of the EU Member States, under the Hungarian Presidency of the European Council and in the presence of the European Commission and the European External Action Service, with the focus of the work being the improved coherence of the EU’s external cultural policy. The conclusions of this meeting are very encouraging and invite future presidencies to continue the discussions and implement an integrated European strategy for culture in foreign relations and development. Similar meeting have been organised under the Polish and Danish EU presidencies.
Furthermore, the European Parliament resolution of 12 May 2011 on the cultural dimensions of the EU’s external actions supports the general lines of these actions.
Culture is a pillar of sustainable development, and is the expression of wealth, inventiveness and diversity in our societies, both in Europe and throughout the world.
“No Future Without Culture” is the slogan used by a European aid programme for the African, Caribbean and Pacific States. The European Commission, Member States and partners are committed to this.
