Today when they convene, the Nordic Ministers of Culture will consider
proposals drawn up by the Nordic Structure Group to reform and revitalise Nordic
cultural co-operation.
Reform is envisaged from January 2007. The idea is
to provide the ministers with a greater say in priorities and to allow them to
act and co-ordinate more effectively at national and international
level.
According to the proposals, new technology offers many different
new ways of communicating culture and globalisation puts the Nordic languages
under heavy pressure. Globalisation represents a fascinating challenge for
cultural co-operation in the Nordic Region and should be seen in the contest of
the latest culture policy initiatives.
Nordic cultural bodies are
expected to seek new partners in the innovative and creative industries and the
new structure for Nordic cultural co-operation will facilitate the establishment
of new international networks.
The idea behind the structural changes is
to continue to develop culture throughout the Region, promoting a strong,
diverse and sustainable sector for the benefit of the people of the Region as
well as of all genres of art and culture.
Questions and answers:: http://www.norden.org/kultur/sk/Frågor_och_svar.pdf
The Danish Minister for Nordic Co-operation, Connie Hedegaard, has issued an
invitation to an informal press conference at the end of the meeting of
Ministers for Nordic Co-operation at 10:30 on 15 June in Hotel Frederiksdal, 15
km north of Copenhagen.
The most important point on the agenda is a
proposal to modernise Nordic co-operation designed to make it more politically
relevant. One potential outcome would be fewer Councils of Ministers.
As
things stand now, more meetings are held by Nordic ministers than by EU
ministers. A reduction in the number is not an objective per se but might help
focus minds on the areas of co-operation that really are important to the Nordic
countries. Hedegaard will present the main outlines of the proposal.
The
ministers are also discussing a new programme for co-operation with Russia. In
future, Nordic involvement will concentrate on geographic areas close to the
Nordic Region. Prioritised themes include co-operation with the voluntary
sector.
To register for the press conference, please submit your name and
mobile telephone number to Torkil Sørensen, Information Officer, Nordic Council
of Ministers, tel.: +45 33 96 03 32/ mobile +45 21 71 71 43 e-mail
ts@norden.org
The Danish Presidency of Nordic Council of Ministers 2005: http://www.norden2005.um.dk/da
Nordic Council / Nordic Council of ministres
Information department