COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS of 17 June 1994 concerning children and culture (94/C 235/02)

THE COUNCIL,

Considering the emphasis given in the conclusions of the Council and the Ministers for Cultural Affairs, meeting within the Council, of 12 November 1992 to the regular examination of issues influencing the cultural field;

Considering the principle of having regard to cultural aspects in Community action under other provisions of the Treaty, as laid down in Article 128 (4) of the Treaty establishing the European Community;

Considering that culture is present from kindergarten to university level, in all of the European countries' educational systems in various ways and with various choices, reflecting the specific features of those systems as well as the cultural diversity that forms one of the foundations of Europe;

Whereas children's encounter with culture from a very early age permits the blossoming of characteristic qualities of childhood such as curiosity, spontaneity and inventiveness; whereas such an encounter as well as the promotion of children's artistic and cultural awareness may be particularly beneficial for the harmonious development of their personality; whereas energies usually absorbed by the passive acceptance of messages from a 'culture of pictures' could as a result be channelled in more creative directions;

Considering that cultural awareness and artistic education also serve to consolidate equality and social responsibility and to provide better opportunities for children and adolescents, beginning from their formative years and leading towards their social integration;

Recognizing that, given the role played by school in children's everyday life, their contact with culture will take place largely within the educational system, but considering that only an all-round approach to children's life will ensure them real access to culture;

Considering that the quest for a European dimension, both in the existing curriculum and in the exchanges of experience that might be organized, would be a way of bringing out more clearly Europe's common cultural heritage.

EXPRESSES its satisfaction that a debate on children and culture has begun within the European Union,

VOICES its wish to see that debate continue at European level,

CALLS UPON the Commission to give the matter further consideration and bear this aspect in mind in the context of the communication on cultural action which it has undertaken to submit to the Council,

POINTS TO the value of exchanging experience and information in this field, to enable appropriate activities to be devised.