CULTURE IN EUROPE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF YOUTH
An essential condition for the participation of young Europeans in society is their access to culture. That can reinforce awareness of sharing a common cultural heritage and promote active citizenship open to the world.
I really think that the only way they can express their creative energy and contribute to their personal development and their feeling of belonging to a community is this involvement in cultural activities.

Access to cultural life is about proving opportunities, options, resources, spaces for creation and funding. This is strongly connected with education, youth, employment, cultural and media policies. So i think access of young people to culture is better promoted if young people’s perspectives are included in the cultural policies.
Cultural expression is one of the eight key competencies defined in the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on key competencies for lifelong learning. Key competences for lifelong learning are a combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes particularly necessary for personal fulfillment and development, social inclusion, active citizenship and employment.
We are told, “Although most people regard culture as an important part of an individual's personal life, it does not seem to make up such a big part of their lives in practice.” In the case of Europe we are told that “problems arise when young people feel alien in the society they are living in” or even that there is a distance or credibility gap between top-down organized activities and more self-generated youth cultures described as “apathy of young people towards participation in anything public” .
So here i rise the question: How do you mobilize young people if their parents don't see the worth or relevance of 'culture' beyond their own communities?
According to the UNESCO, access to culture means concrete opportunities available to everyone, in particular through the creation of appropriate socio-economic conditions, for freely obtaining information, training, knowledge and understanding, and for enjoying cultural values and cultural property and participation means concrete opportunities guaranteed for all – groups and individuals – to express themselves freely, to communicate, act, and engage in creative activities with a view to the full development of their personalities, a harmonious life and cultural progress of society.

In Europe, the legal instruments that refer to access to culture can mainly be found in constitutional frameworks. The Member States have adopted the Human Rights framework as a basis of equal treatment, non-discrimination and fundamental freedoms that all are essential elements of providing the adequate conditions for accessing cultural life.
There is a need for constructive dialogue in a synchronized and collaborative manner in order to plan strategic approaches and future challenges. Therefore, the Member States should definitely provide access to spaces for gathering, creativity, peer-learning and cultural activities for meaningful leisure time and promote involvement in community work and volunteering services in relation with the access of young people to culture. They should also facilitate communication between cultural institutions and young people, and promote programs on cultural contents adjusted to the expectations of young people.
The digital environment should not be forgotten. It is a key factor in today’s youth culture; it can be used as a vector of cultural participation. Therefore, Member States should facilitate access to new technologies for all young people in order for them to develop their cultural, creative and expressive skill and encourage the communication and media literacy skills of young people, also in their role of arts creators online.

Regardless of growing multiculturality in Europe there is a need for more strategies where cultural policies and actions can be seen as an important element of antidiscrimination policies and concrete practices against racism and inequality. The actions in this field should be long-term, systemic and structurally promote access.
Actions in this field foster understanding and respect for cultural diversity, develop intercultural skills and, stimulate passive and disadvantaged young people to participate in cultural experiences.
In conclusion, Culture has the power to transform entire societies, strengthen local communities and forge a sense of identity and belonging for people of all ages. As a vector for youth development and civic engagement, culture plays an essential role in promoting sustainable social and economic development for future generations. Youth can act as a bridge between cultures and serve as key agents in promoting peace and intercultural understanding.

Bibliografie: https://www.facebook.com/192277107481544/photos/pb.192277107481544.-2207520000.1447418334./369616263080960/?type=3&theater http://one-europe.info/boosting-europes-culture-european-cultural-parliament-youth-network-ecp-yn
http://communicate-europe.co.uk/index.php?id=11906