The Power of Culture
One thing I’ve come to understand during my years as a diplomat is the power of culture. Culture connects people from different socioeconomic, ethnic, and political backgrounds, creating a space not only to enjoy what we have in common but also to celebrate our differences. This celebration of diversity is at the core of what the European Union stands for, evident in our motto, “United in Diversity.”
Cultural diplomacy is a powerful tool for promoting the values of the European Union — peace, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. It helps different groups of people understand and see each other as fellow human beings rather than anonymous threats. When we understand one another’s differences, we can find ways to work together.
Indeed, I believe that Europe’s openness to cultural diversity is a main driver for its global influence and 70 years of peaceful coexistence — the longest period of peace the European continent has ever known.
The sharing of culture opens our minds, breaks down barriers of stereotypes and prejudice, helps immigrants and refugees integrate, and enriches our communities.
We often don’t realize that culture is also a key driver of economic growth — global trade in creative products has more than doubled over the last decade with cultural and creative industries accounting for about 3% of world GDP and over 30 million jobs. The long-standing European Capitals of Culture initiative, for instance, has repeatedly shown what a city and its surroundings can achieve in terms of growth and jobs by embedding culture and the arts in their long-term development strategy.
Here at the EU Delegation in Washington, D.C., we understand that culture is not just a hobby — it is essential in our relationship with today’s world. So an important part of our outreach here in the United States is our cultural programming. One of these programmes, the European Month of Culture (EUMC), is just around the corner. Throughout the entire month of May, I invite you to enjoy diverse and innovative cultural programs from all our 28 EU Member States, in partnership with U.S. cultural and educational institutions. As you attend our EUMC events next month, tag us in your social media posts using the hashtag #EUMC2017 and let us know what you’ve learned.
For more information and to see a full schedule of events, visit EUintheUS.org/EUMC.
