Resources
By enhancing cultural participation among Europeans, will the values of tolerance, trust and willingness to engage respectfully with others be strengthened, and more open, inclusive societies emerge as a result?
A link has been made in recent years between a strong, well-functioning democracy and an abundance of cultural opportunities for all. Societies are said to be more open, tolerant and economically successful when people have easy access to a wide range of cultural activities and when participation rates in these activities are high. This first Council of Europe thematic report on culture and democracy specifically explores the relation between cultural participation and aspects of inclusive societies in Europe, such as tolerance and trust, and underlines the potential power of culture in nurturing them.
The report is based on the Indicator Framework on Culture and Democracy, developed by the Council of Europe and the Hertie School of Governance, in co-operation with the European Cultural Foundation. It was published in December 2016.
Hertie School of Governance
The Hertie School of Governance in Berlin prepares exceptional students for leadership positions in government, business, and civil society. The school offers master’s programmes, executive education and doctoral programmes, distinguished by interdisciplinary and practice-oriented teaching, as well as outstanding research. Its extensive international network positions it as an ambassador of good governance, characterised by public debate and engagement. The school was founded in 2003 by the Hertie Foundation, which remains its major funder. The Hertie School is accredited by the state and the German Science Council.