A Contribution to Participation, Innovation and Quality An international specialist conference during the Austrian EU-presidency, initiated by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Culture along the key-issues of “participation”, “innovation” and “quality”. Key competences strengthen personal development and social and occupational integration and promote openness to Europe’s cultural and linguistic diversity. One of the European Union’s educational policy emphases is on the promotion of key competences from basic education to life-long learning. An essential aspect of this is the strengthening of cultural competence. This includes both the ability to express one’s own creativity as well as the recognition of works of arts and artistic performance. The readiness for critical and constructive dialogue and the understanding of cultural diversity is also important. In the framework of the specialist conference on “Promoting Cultural Education in Europe” the possible contribution of cultural education both in the school and the out-of-school spheres to these issues (life-long learning, social inclusion, cultural identities, civic education / European citizenship, key competencies etc.) – relevant also at a European level – will be discussed in order to clarify the importance of cultural education in and for European society. In the context of this conference highlighting its contribution to different social fields, also means breaking open the borders of the internal discussion and making a public statement in that, alongside experts from the cultural and educational sphere, business and science experts also have their say and discuss the issues of quality, innovation and participation from different perspectives. In the run-up to the conference a “pre-conference reader” will be issued, which is intended to serve as a preparatory basis for the forums and discussions. The reader will present an overview of developments and trends in cultural education, showing the connections between elements of the cultural education issue and the national policies of the EU member states. (Concept & compilation: Dr. Michael Wimmer). For more information, CLICK HERE.