Making Culture Accessible

By Annamari Laaksonen, Council of Europe Publishing, 2010, 188 pp., ISBN: 978-92-871-6729-3

The enjoyment and fulfilment of the right to participate in culture requires an enabling environment and a legal framework that offers a solid basis for the protection of rights related to cultural actions. A society that demonstrates an interest in nurturing cultural and spiritual needs in conditions of liberty has a greater chance of developing a sense of social responsibility among its members.

This study is a general overview of existing legal and policy frameworks in Europe, covering access to and participation in cultural life, cultural provision and cultural rights. It aims at facilitating an environment that enables the development of access and participation in this area. The study also pays due tribute to local civil society organisations and cultural associations, in recognition of the important role they play in making access to culture possible.

The Annex features General Comment No. 21 on the right of everyone to take part in cultural life (adopted by the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of the Economic and Social Council in November 2009).

To order, please see book.coe.int/EN/ficheouvrage.php?PAGEID=36&lang=EN&produit_aliasid=2499

http://www.culturelink.org/news/publics/2010/publication2010-022.html