Resolution 885 (1987)

Jewish contribution to European culture

Author(s): Parliamentary Assembly

Origin - Assembly debate on 5 October 1987 (13th Sitting) (see Doc. 5778, report of the Committee on Culture and Education). Text adopted by the Assembly on 5 October 1987 (13th Sitting).

The Assembly,

1. Recalling the statutory mission of the Council of Europe to safeguard and realise the spiritual and moral values which are the common heritage of member states ;

2. Recalling the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, enshrined in Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights ;

3. Considering, as does the European Declaration on Cultural Objectives (Berlin, 1984), that the various European cultures are strongly rooted in a humanitarian and religious tradition, which is the source of their dedication to freedom and human rights ;

4. Recognising the very considerable and distinctive contribution that Jews and the tradition of Judaism have made to the historical development of Europe in the cultural as well as in other fields,

5. Welcomes the holding by its Committee on Culture and Education, in collaboration with the European Foundation for Sciences, Arts and Culture, of the Symposium on Jewish Sephardi and European Cultures in Toledo on 9 and 10 April 1987 ;

6. Supports the decision of the Secretary General to ensure the continued association of the Council of Europe with further such symposia to be held over the next few years on Jewish influence in central and northern Europe, in eastern Europe, as well as in North Africa ;

7. Expresses the hope that this series of symposia will provide a basis for consideration of the need for further study on this subject and on the manner in which it might best be conducted, for example by setting up a European institute or network ;

8. Invites the Council for Cultural Co-operation to join in further reflection on this initiative.