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Open Assembly of the Cultures in Europe |
The Treaty of Amsterdam has now included an amendment which underlines the respect and the promotion of cultural diversity (Art. 128 par. 4), this obliges more to develop a proper representation and protection of the Cultures of Europe. The European Union which designates itself as Union of States should also evolve as Union of Cultures and "Guardian of Cultures". Besides a political representation assured by political parties in the European Parliament, Europe needs a real human group representation. European consciousness can grow through the rich diversity of cultural awareness and not only from the political and proportional representation.
Cultural diversity should be encouraged within European states which are, de facto, multicultural in their composition.
The Open Assembly of Cultures in Europe intends to promote an important step towards the extension of democratic process. In conjunction with the European Union and other European Organisations (Council of Europe and OSCE) it will develop the respect and promotion of the diversity and richness of cultures, and will protect particularly the voiceless ones and those on the way to disappearance.
Cultures called to be part of the Open Assembly are any recognisable group of people who share a common and prolonged experience of belief, language, ethnicity, traditions, race and identify themselves through specific characteristics distinct from others, as well as a subjective experience of dependence (see ACE's statutes).
2. Aims
A) Structural Aims
• To gather the European cultural groups and to promote dialogue amongst them for a better understanding of their identities and common or parallel problems.
• To promote the European integration of all cultural groups, respecting their continuing diversity and specificity as autonomous groups within the protection and the listening body of the European Union.
• To allow the cross fertilisation of the European cultural groups through mutual contacts and sharing of cultural activities.
• To become an interlocutor between the European Organisations (EU, Council of Europe and OSCE) and the European cultural groups.
• To defend and protect the right to be different against any form of assimilation.
• To improve the implementation of the existing international documents and standards on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and Responsibilities.
• To play the role of moderator in bilateral talks at the request of the interested parties.
B) Short term Aims
• To begin an organic process of awareness and support of the European Organisations (EU, Council of Europe and OSCE) to the aims and concrete projects of the Open Assembly.
• To establish a working group which could be called "Embassy of Cultures of Europe" or "Committee of the Cultures of Europe" directed by an "Ambassador" or "Special Reporter" who will establish contacts
• With all the recognised European cultural groups in order to support their priorities and expectations and prepare a yearly Report to be presented to the European Union and the Governments of Europe. The so called "Embassy" will be the voice of the European Cultures. The "Embassy" will accomplish its work in conjunction with the EU Institutions.
• To promote studies and to support cultural projects of the voiceless and poorest European cultural groups, especially those on the way to disappearance.
C) Structure of the Assembly of Cultures in Europe
President: Enrique Baron Crespo
Ambassador ad Interim: Pasqual Maragall
Working Group: Experts and Members of the Int. Y. Menuhin Foundation
Spokespersons: Representatives of Cultures.
Members: Cultural Groups
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