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FRAMEWORK for Workshop 1: "Cross-cultural identites, language and values" by Dominique Danau

The objective of the workshop on 'cross-cultural identities, language and values' is eventually to come up with concrete proposals in terms of cultural actions to be undertaken in Europe within specific fields. These proposals will be passed on to the Council of Regions and hence to the European Commission. To achieve this objective, a discussion will be created to foster an exchange of ideas and views between the participants. The discussion should be an open discussion whereby possible political issues ought to be translated into analytical questions and made accessible for further discussion.

To structure the discussion, which will be necessary in order to achieve the objectives of the workshop, three main themes are proposed. These themes are: - the relation between culture and identity and the issue of a cross-cultural, e.g. European identity. The relation between culture and identity is an interesting and a complex one, since these inter-linked concepts can be operationalised and used in different ways. In matters of culture, identity is always involved and every identity is interwoven with culture. The issue of a cross-cultural identity cannot be avoided in a debate on culture as a building stone for Europe. A European identity is multiple, since people identify themselves with different meanings, artefacts, etc. depending on place, time, etc. But what does it mean, 'a European identity'? Does it exist? Why is it desirable? Can it exist? How can this European identity be shaped by existing, apparently contradicting forces of unification and standardisa- tion on the one hand and deeply rooted forces of differentiation on the other hand?

- the relation between cultural diversity and a common (European) identity. The fear exists that with the further development of the EU, cultures will merge into each other whereby no trace will be left of the current diver- sity and differences. Regarding cultural diversity as a source of cultural wealth, some consensus can be identified. However, a contrast between the verbal consensus on the one hand and the factual reality on the other hand is no fiction. Is the emphasis on a European identity only a method to support the economic objectives of the EU? Will national with regional cultures become more important with a further development of the EU? Will Euro- nationalism replace traditional nationalism? Will identification corre- spond to political boundaries or will the focus be on more complex ties and common interests that are not limited to these (political) entities?

- the role of cross-cultural networks and programmes in the relation between cultural diversity and a European identity. The EU launched multiple European programmes in different domains which are culturally sensitive (technologies, vocational training, educa- tion, languages, media, etc.) which resulted in networks. What is the role of networks in the formation of a European identity? Do these networks result or even promote subcultures of inter-cultural pro- fessional groups whereby only the insiders understand the language and codes being used? What are the constraints and added value of these networks?

Interlinked with these themes are issues such as l a n g u a g e (language is still the basic material of many cultural products), m e d i a (the promotion of a culture happens partly through different media), t h e m e l t i n g p o t m o d e l (the melting pot discussion comes up in the discussion on the import of mass-culture products), E u r o - c e n t r i c i s m (the attitude whereby the 'European' culture is considered to be of greater value or significance than that of others), etc.

In my previous papers, I mentioned the possibility to use the 'cultural barometer' as a possible framework for this workshop. In terms of an operational instrument, the cultural barometer needs certainly further development and research which cannot be done during this workshop. However, the variables shaping this barometer could be used as one of the frameworks for our discussion, i.e. language, media, promotion of culture, culture relation to the different EU institutions, economic issues.

I also introduced the concept of 'cultural fluency' which relates to the facility to decode and encode meanings. In cross-cultural communication, this seems to me an important key to successful communication, which we certainly will try to achieve during our discussions.

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