Motion for a recommendation | Doc. 13123 | 30 January 2013
Promoting city diplomacy in the field of culture
Living in the democratic culture of the 21st century, each citizen is not only the holder of fundamental rights, but is also entitled to participate within democracy at local, regional, national and European levels. Sustainable progress of such democracy requires strong support by administrations, cultural and educational institutions, associations and citizens, especially at local level.
The Council of Europe provides the framework for cultural and educational co-operation at local level through its European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation between Territorial Communities or Authorities and through other initiatives such as the Intercultural Cities Project, hence promoting a culture of decentralised city diplomacy.
Given the current global background within which our civilisations are able to come together, the Parliamentary Assembly should assist citizens’ cultural and educational opportunities and facilitate international co-operation in this field.
The Assembly also calls upon the Committee of Ministers to extend the current work of the Council of Europe’s centre of expertise, which already promotes city diplomacy in Europe.