Council Resolution of 17 December 1999 on the promotion of the free movement of persons working in the cultural sector
12. 1. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 8/3 12. In order that all citizens can benefit equally from opportunities offered by the information society, to raise the awareness and capability of all groups in low- society, in particular long-term unemployed, elderly, skilled workers, the illiterate, and other disabled, disadvantaged groups. the and vulnerable minorities the 13. To promote an equal opportunities approach between men and women in the use of information society tools in schools and in all levels of training and education. 14. To support the economy, especially micro and SMEs, as well as non-profit and voluntary organi- sations, from the information society, whilst also gaining from the modernisation of work organisation so as to maximise the job potential and quality of working life. to benefit entrepreneurship, 15. To release the innovative capacity in Europe, through education, economic and environmental sustainability and through the in promotion peripheral and less favoured regions. Releasing the human innovative capacity is a key element for job creation and a base for social cohesion. particularly creative skills, of CALL ON THE COMMISSION: 1. To favour the social and labour market dimension of the the European information society across all priorities of Social Fund. 2. Using information and communication technologies, to such as European the (EURES) and information at in services increase employment European level. transparency services 3. To support innovation through the fifth framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities particularly in the application of new technologies and innovative forms of work organi- sation in the creation of new products and services thus leading to new jobs. 4. In collaboration with the forum of high-level representatives of Members States, and working together with social partners, information society industries and other groups, in the to report on strategies information society, extraordinary in Lisbon, which will meeting of focus on this subject by putting high on the European agenda the goal Employment, economic reforms and social cohesion - for a Europe of innovation and knowl- edgeí. the European Council for maximising jobs in advance of the 5. To inform the Council on the consultations with the social partners at European level concerning telework. COUNCIL RESOLUTION of 17 December 1999 on the promotion of the free movement of persons working in the cultural sector (2000/C 8/02) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the first report of the Commission of the European Communities of 17 April 1996 on the consideration of cultural aspects in European Community action, Having regard to the Council Resolution of 20 January 1997 on the into Community actions (1), cultural aspects integration of (1) OJ C 36, 5. 2. 1997, p. 4. Having regard to the report of the high-level panel on the free movement of persons of 18 March 1997, the action plan for the single market of 4 June 1997 issued on the basis of the report, the more specific action plan for the free movement of workers of November 1997, and the Commission communi- cation on the follow-up to the recommendations of the high-level panel on the free movement of persons of 1 July 1998, Having regard to the Commission communication on the first European Community framework programme in support of culture (2000 to 2004) of 6 May 1998 and the Commission orientation decument on the explicit integration of cultural aspects into community action, C 8/4 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 1. 2000 RECALLS that in accordance with Article 151 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, the Community shall contribute to the flowering of the cultures of the Member States while respecting their national and regional diversity and at the same time bringing the common cultural heritage to the fore and that the Community shall take cultural aspects into account in its action under other provisions of the Treaty, in particular in order to respect and to promote the diversity of its cultures; RECALLS that, in accordance with Article 3(1)(c) of the Treaty is characterised by the abolition, as the internal market between Member States of obstacles, inter alia to the free movement of persons; CONSIDERS that, without prejudice to the agreements estab- lished in the context of the Schengen acquis, owing to the principle of the European the free movement of persons, Economic Area enables persons working in the cultural sector to reach wider audiences and provides them with access to a labour market which is substantially larger and more diverse than the national labour markets; also considers that the future enlargement of the European Union should provide further opportunities; FIRMLY BELIEVES that the free movement of persons working, studying or training in the cultral sector promotes and diver- sifies the citizens’ access to the arts and culture, deepens coop- eration and interaction between operators in the cultural sector, life, promotes the diversity of European stimulates cultural cultures, citizenship and European awareness; and promotes active on the first community WELCOMES the affirmation of the Commission in its communi- cation framework European programme in support of culture (2000 to 2004) of 6 May 1998 that the Commission will produce a detailed list of the obstacles to free movement of artists and others working in the cultural sector and the factors impeding cultural creativity and dissemination, and will, if necessary, take appropriate measures to remove such obstacles; INVITES the Commission to undertake a study in consultation with artists and other professionals field, including: in the cultural - a general assessment of mobility of persons working, studying or training in the cultural sector, - a comprehensive review of legal, administrative and practial obstacles currently impeding the implementation of the principle of free movement in the cultural sector, in the light of for and, proposals for movement and rectifying the shortcomings identified; this study, to consider, removing obstacles actions if appropriate, to free INVITES the Member States: NOTES that one of the aims of the proposed Culture 2000 programme is to promote the mobility of professionals in the cultural sector and to increase cultural exchanges, and in the that certain Community programmes, audiovisual and educational fields, also provide opportunities for mobilty; for example, FIRMLY BELIEVES that more active and efficient use of the opportunities inherent in the single market will create new jobs and enhance work opportunities for persons working, studying or sector, and thereby promote employment in the cultural sector and employment as a whole; training in the cultural EMPHASISES that information and advice provided for persons working, studying or training in the cultural sector concerning the work opportunities offered by the single market should be the Community level and within the Member improved at States; - to coopperate with the Commission in the preparation of the study, - to consider actions at the national level, in the light of the in coop- Commission study, to promote free movement, eration with other Member States, where applicable, - to enhance advice and information provided for artists and other professionals in the cultural sector with regard to the work opportunities in the single market, where applicable, - to develop internal cooperation in the Member States with a view to facilitating the mobility of artists and other persons working, studying or training in the cultural sector