| Inclusive
Europe As the title suggests,
the conference covered two topics. The larger part of the time was devoted
to the issues of Inclusive Europe. The conference explored
concepts and practice related to the notions of cultural 'democratisation'
and cultural 'democracy'. Debate focused on the issues of access, equity,
participation and voice implied in these notions. There was a special emphasis
on the relationship of the latter to the types of cultural difference that
were particularly salient in Central and Eastern Europe. |
Horizon 2020
On the other hand, Horizon 2020 indicated a specific focus on prospective visions. The past few years have posed many challenges to high level administrators: tensions on the global arena, draft European Constitution, Eastern enlargement, agendas 2007-2013 etc. The aim was to elevate participants of the Budapest conference - including invited ministers and high officials of the European Commission - from their condensed agenda, and to divert attention towards the not-too-distant, though not-yet-imminent visions of European culture in 2020.
Eminent intellectuals and political philosophers were invited to examine the future of European culture on the horizon of 2020 from various angles, one of these being, of course, the prospects of cultural democracy. Speakers explored other - anthropological, demographic, technological, economic, security etc. - factors, as well as the internal dynamics of arts. This attempt at gazing into the future enabled decision makers and cultural actors to see day-to-day issues in a more lucid perspective.
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Constitution
In its constitution, Inclusive Europe? Horizon 2020 combined the traditions of
the European meetings in Berlin and Paris with those of the annual EFAH
conferences. It provided opportunity for statements on the two topics of the
conference. The number of invited speakers was however restricted, in order to
preserve as much time and opportunity as possible for discussion and dialogue,
involving the possible greatest number of participants.
There were two working meetings reserved to ministerial level delegates. Otherwise the sessions of the conference were open to all registered participants, from field operators to ministers of culture.
The conference was held in English, with French, German and Hungarian translation at the plenary sessions.
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