On 20 October 2010, the European Festivals Association invited for an open space session dedicated to the 2010 EFA flagship project “Open The Door” (www.Open-The-Door.eu). In the framework of the trans-sectoral EU Forum “Building together a society for all” set up by the European Commission, EFA discussed in an interactive exchange with artists, festival representatives, actors from the cultural and other sectors as well as political decision makers the role and responsibility of arts and culture for societal development, well-being and raising awareness of social inequities. Session participants could follow a critical discussion of Galin Stoev, stage director, Biljana Zdravkovic, General Manager Belgrade Music Festival, and Jelle Dierickx, Musicologist, Artistic Coordinator of Gent Festival of Flanders and Vice-President of ISCM Flanders 2012 Music Days. Moderated by Salvatore Marra, Officer at CGIL Roma e Lazio (Italian General Confederation of Labour), the session – with an introduction of EFA Secretary General Kathrin Deventer and critical interventions from the floor – challenged participants on the question how arts and culture are indeed at the basis for changing mind sets and triggering thinking in order to increase a sense of social and cultural responsibility. “EFA believes that arts and culture play an essential role in the building of societies. Festivals are deeply rooted in local contexts and contribute to a change of mind-set of people that get in touch with artists,” Kathrin Deventer introduced participants on the vision of the Association. In his opening address, stage director Galin Stoev, critically reflected on the opportunities and limits of an artist. Having produced theatre in different cultural contexts, Mr Stoev raised the question of identity, the role of the internet and mass media in influencing people and the role of the artist against this background. “I don’t believe that the artist can fight poverty. I think it is an intellectual concept. I think we have to realise that we cannot save the society as a whole, but we probably can save an individual. I think the individual is the only stable point. How to create an individual? How to push the individual’s limits? This should be the main preoccupation of the artist of tomorrow. It’s not only a question of producing a good show. It is also important to place it in a spectator’s imagination. It is not just about educating audiences but about guiding the audience and to invite them to dare to dream further.” Biljana Zdravkovic linked these reflections to a problem at political level: “It is very easy for politicians to give us up. They don’t know how to use the power of international artistic creation.” She continued saying: “We have to underline that we are important for different reasons; not the whole world will appreciate and understand what we do but we can have a certain influence on some people and the course of their lives.” Reflecting further on the approach of audiences, Mr Stoev stressed: “I don’t believe we have to address people as a distinctive group, telling them because you are poor we are doing this or that for you. The crucial attitude we have to apply for the future is that we address people because they are human beings!” Asked in how far festivals could carry out also a social role and engage in social values Jelle Dierickx replied that “this is not even a question. Festivals are simply doing exactly that.” He clearly stated his point of view on the relation between politicians and festival organisers: “We have to make sure that politicians know they need us! Not vice versa. When you have two coins you should use one to buy bread and one to buy a bunch of flowers. We have to convince politicians about that.” He concluded: “The real poverty is a poverty in thinking! The richness of Europe is that we can fight and debate.” Representing the network’s perspective Kathrin Deventer stressed the need to adapt the way of measuring the value of the arts and its social relevance to the realities of the sector. “Politicians ask for indicators when they decide who to support financially. They ask for figures of audiences and target groups reached etc. But rather than using quantitative indicators a qualitative long-term approach should be applied. Researchers more and more follow the practice and provide the needed tools: The level of participation in cultural life is compared with the level of well being for example.” The panel agreed: Festivals are one of the few places left where artists have almost complete freedom to create, freedom of thought, and that it is the task of festivals to convince politicians that festivals remain a public responsibility. “We should not lose that battle,” urged Mrs Zdravkovic. In terms of a festival’s responsibility it was agreed that barriers to access the arts should be removed as much as possible. “It is key to create an alternative way through which people can access culture and arts differently,” underlined Galin Stoev. “There is a ‘mental space’ where despite of cultural, educational or social differences we can meet without creating conflicts. This is a value and it should be a common agreement.” Festival directors present gave insight into how festivals practically remove those barriers: from a certain ticketing policy and free performances to alternative ways of participation in concerts to targeted projects which allow artists to work with certain social groups. Concluding the session Mrs Deventer took up the issue of individual responsibility and urged: “The change of mind-set leads to assuming responsibility. Let’s make use of this force of festivals to bring together individuals, to shape a sense of responsibility and to link with these individual levels of responsibility.” Referring to the political level, Mrs Deventer called for a ‘culturalisation’ of politics: “We have to integrate culture in other policy areas, into regional or urban development for example.” The “Open The Door” project is initiated at the occasion of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Dedicated to the motto “Festivals: Open Doors. Open Minds. Build Societies!” the session was the moment to present first results of the “Open The Door” initiative: best practice examples, tools and actions have been identified in a series of some 30 interviews with festival directors from all over Europe. The session was part of the EU Forum “Building together a society for all - A circus against exclusion” organised by the European Commission in the framework of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. It illustrated the European Year's message of shared responsibility, by giving an active role to various actors: public authorities, NGOs, social and cultural actors, foundations, as well as people experiencing poverty. All information on the session (programme, speakers, press release etc.) and information related to the “Open The Door” project (first results including a series of interviews and best practices, further events etc.) can be consulted via the news section on the “Open The Door” website" target="_blank"> up. They don’t know how to use the power of international artistic creation.” She continued saying: “We have to underline that we are important for different reasons; not the whole world will appreciate and understand what we do but we can have a certain influence on some people and the course of their lives.” Reflecting further on the approach of audiences, Mr Stoev stressed: “I don’t believe we have to address people as a distinctive group, telling them because you are poor we are doing this or that for you. The crucial attitude we have to apply for the future is that we address people because they are human beings!” Asked in how far festivals could carry out also a social role and engage in social values Jelle Dierickx replied that “this is not even a question. Festivals are simply doing exactly that.” He clearly stated his point of view on the relation between politicians and festival organisers: “We have to make sure that politicians know they need us! Not vice versa. When you have two coins you should use one to buy bread and one to buy a bunch of flowers. We have to convince politicians about that.” He concluded: “The real poverty is a poverty in thinking! The richness of Europe is that we can fight and debate.” Representing the network’s perspective Kathrin Deventer stressed the need to adapt the way of measuring the value of the arts and its social relevance to the realities of the sector. “Politicians ask for indicators when they decide who to support financially. They ask for figures of audiences and target groups reached etc. But rather than using quantitative indicators a qualitative long-term approach should be applied. Researchers more and more follow the practice and provide the needed tools: The level of participation in cultural life is compared with the level of well being for example.” The panel agreed: Festivals are one of the few places left where artists have almost complete freedom to create, freedom of thought, and that it is the task of festivals to convince politicians that festivals remain a public responsibility. “We should not lose that battle,” urged Mrs Zdravkovic. In terms of a festival’s responsibility it was agreed that barriers to access the arts should be removed as much as possible. “It is key to create an alternative way through which people can access culture and arts differently,” underlined Galin Stoev. “There is a ‘mental space’ where despite of cultural, educational or social differences we can meet without creating conflicts. This is a value and it should be a common agreement.” Festival directors present gave insight into how festivals practically remove those barriers: from a certain ticketing policy and free performances to alternative ways of participation in concerts to targeted projects which allow artists to work with certain social groups. Concluding the session Mrs Deventer took up the issue of individual responsibility and urged: “The change of mind-set leads to assuming responsibility. Let’s make use of this force of festivals to bring together individuals, to shape a sense of responsibility and to link with these individual levels of responsibility.” Referring to the political level, Mrs Deventer called for a ‘culturalisation’ of politics: “We have to integrate culture in other policy areas, into regional or urban development for example.” The “Open The Door” project is initiated at the occasion of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Dedicated to the motto “Festivals: Open Doors. Open Minds. Build Societies!” the session was the moment to present first results of the “Open The Door” initiative: best practice examples, tools and actions have been identified in a series of some 30 interviews with festival directors from all over Europe. The session was part of the EU Forum “Building together a society for all - A circus against exclusion” organised by the European Commission in the framework of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. It illustrated the European Year's message of shared responsibility, by giving an active role to various actors: public authorities, NGOs, social and cultural actors, foundations, as well as people experiencing poverty. All information on the session (programme, speakers, press release etc.) and information related to the “Open The Door” project (first results including a series of interviews and best practices, further events etc.) can be consulted via the news section on the “Open The Door” website. news section on the “Open The Door” website" target="_blank"> up. They don’t know how to use the power of international artistic creation.” She continued saying: “We have to underline that we are important for different reasons; not the whole world will appreciate and understand what we do but we can have a certain influence on some people and the course of their lives.” Reflecting further on the approach of audiences, Mr Stoev stressed: “I don’t believe we have to address people as a distinctive group, telling them because you are poor we are doing this or that for you. The crucial attitude we have to apply for the future is that we address people because they are human beings!” Asked in how far festivals could carry out also a social role and engage in social values Jelle Dierickx replied that “this is not even a question. Festivals are simply doing exactly that.” He clearly stated his point of view on the relation between politicians and festival organisers: “We have to make sure that politicians know they need us! Not vice versa. When you have two coins you should use one to buy bread and one to buy a bunch of flowers. We have to convince politicians about that.” He concluded: “The real poverty is a poverty in thinking! The richness of Europe is that we can fight and debate.” Representing the network’s perspective Kathrin Deventer stressed the need to adapt the way of measuring the value of the arts and its social relevance to the realities of the sector. “Politicians ask for indicators when they decide who to support financially. They ask for figures of audiences and target groups reached etc. But rather than using quantitative indicators a qualitative long-term approach should be applied. Researchers more and more follow the practice and provide the needed tools: The level of participation in cultural life is compared with the level of well being for example.” The panel agreed: Festivals are one of the few places left where artists have almost complete freedom to create, freedom of thought, and that it is the task of festivals to convince politicians that festivals remain a public responsibility. “We should not lose that battle,” urged Mrs Zdravkovic. In terms of a festival’s responsibility it was agreed that barriers to access the arts should be removed as much as possible. “It is key to create an alternative way through which people can access culture and arts differently,” underlined Galin Stoev. “There is a ‘mental space’ where despite of cultural, educational or social differences we can meet without creating conflicts. This is a value and it should be a common agreement.” Festival directors present gave insight into how festivals practically remove those barriers: from a certain ticketing policy and free performances to alternative ways of participation in concerts to targeted projects which allow artists to work with certain social groups. Concluding the session Mrs Deventer took up the issue of individual responsibility and urged: “The change of mind-set leads to assuming responsibility. Let’s make use of this force of festivals to bring together individuals, to shape a sense of responsibility and to link with these individual levels of responsibility.” Referring to the political level, Mrs Deventer called for a ‘culturalisation’ of politics: “We have to integrate culture in other policy areas, into regional or urban development for example.” The “Open The Door” project is initiated at the occasion of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Dedicated to the motto “Festivals: Open Doors. Open Minds. Build Societies!” the session was the moment to present first results of the “Open The Door” initiative: best practice examples, tools and actions have been identified in a series of some 30 interviews with festival directors from all over Europe. The session was part of the EU Forum “Building together a society for all - A circus against exclusion” organised by the European Commission in the framework of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. It illustrated the European Year's message of shared responsibility, by giving an active role to various actors: public authorities, NGOs, social and cultural actors, foundations, as well as people experiencing poverty. All information on the session (programme, speakers, press release etc.) and information related to the “Open The Door” project (first results including a series of interviews and best practices, further events etc.) can be consulted via the Download the EFA report here" target="_blank">news section on the “Open The Door” website" target="_blank"> up. They don’t know how to use the power of international artistic creation.” She continued saying: “We have to underline that we are important for different reasons; not the whole world will appreciate and understand what we do but we can have a certain influence on some people and the course of their lives.” Reflecting further on the approach of audiences, Mr Stoev stressed: “I don’t believe we have to address people as a distinctive group, telling them because you are poor we are doing this or that for you. The crucial attitude we have to apply for the future is that we address people because they are human beings!” Asked in how far festivals could carry out also a social role and engage in social values Jelle Dierickx replied that “this is not even a question. Festivals are simply doing exactly that.” He clearly stated his point of view on the relation between politicians and festival organisers: “We have to make sure that politicians know they need us! Not vice versa. When you have two coins you should use one to buy bread and one to buy a bunch of flowers. We have to convince politicians about that.” He concluded: “The real poverty is a poverty in thinking! The richness of Europe is that we can fight and debate.” Representing the network’s perspective Kathrin Deventer stressed the need to adapt the way of measuring the value of the arts and its social relevance to the realities of the sector. “Politicians ask for indicators when they decide who to support financially. They ask for figures of audiences and target groups reached etc. But rather than using quantitative indicators a qualitative long-term approach should be applied. Researchers more and more follow the practice and provide the needed tools: The level of participation in cultural life is compared with the level of well being for example.” The panel agreed: Festivals are one of the few places left where artists have almost complete freedom to create, freedom of thought, and that it is the task of festivals to convince politicians that festivals remain a public responsibility. “We should not lose that battle,” urged Mrs Zdravkovic. In terms of a festival’s responsibility it was agreed that barriers to access the arts should be removed as much as possible. “It is key to create an alternative way through which people can access culture and arts differently,” underlined Galin Stoev. “There is a ‘mental space’ where despite of cultural, educational or social differences we can meet without creating conflicts. This is a value and it should be a common agreement.” Festival directors present gave insight into how festivals practically remove those barriers: from a certain ticketing policy and free performances to alternative ways of participation in concerts to targeted projects which allow artists to work with certain social groups. Concluding the session Mrs Deventer took up the issue of individual responsibility and urged: “The change of mind-set leads to assuming responsibility. Let’s make use of this force of festivals to bring together individuals, to shape a sense of responsibility and to link with these individual levels of responsibility.” Referring to the political level, Mrs Deventer called for a ‘culturalisation’ of politics: “We have to integrate culture in other policy areas, into regional or urban development for example.” The “Open The Door” project is initiated at the occasion of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Dedicated to the motto “Festivals: Open Doors. Open Minds. Build Societies!” the session was the moment to present first results of the “Open The Door” initiative: best practice examples, tools and actions have been identified in a series of some 30 interviews with festival directors from all over Europe. The session was part of the EU Forum “Building together a society for all - A circus against exclusion” organised by the European Commission in the framework of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. It illustrated the European Year's message of shared responsibility, by giving an active role to various actors: public authorities, NGOs, social and cultural actors, foundations, as well as people experiencing poverty. All information on the session (programme, speakers, press release etc.) and information related to the “Open The Door” project (first results including a series of interviews and best practices, further events etc.) can be consulted via the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/932/Open%20The%20Door%20-%20EFA%20flagship%20project%202010/]news section on the “Open The Door” website. [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]Download the EFA report here. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]EFA report" target="_blank">news section on the “Open The Door” website. [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]Download the EFA report here" target="_blank">news section on the “Open The Door” website" target="_blank"> up. They don’t know how to use the power of international artistic creation.” She continued saying: “We have to underline that we are important for different reasons; not the whole world will appreciate and understand what we do but we can have a certain influence on some people and the course of their lives.” Reflecting further on the approach of audiences, Mr Stoev stressed: “I don’t believe we have to address people as a distinctive group, telling them because you are poor we are doing this or that for you. The crucial attitude we have to apply for the future is that we address people because they are human beings!” Asked in how far festivals could carry out also a social role and engage in social values Jelle Dierickx replied that “this is not even a question. Festivals are simply doing exactly that.” He clearly stated his point of view on the relation between politicians and festival organisers: “We have to make sure that politicians know they need us! Not vice versa. When you have two coins you should use one to buy bread and one to buy a bunch of flowers. We have to convince politicians about that.” He concluded: “The real poverty is a poverty in thinking! The richness of Europe is that we can fight and debate.” Representing the network’s perspective Kathrin Deventer stressed the need to adapt the way of measuring the value of the arts and its social relevance to the realities of the sector. “Politicians ask for indicators when they decide who to support financially. They ask for figures of audiences and target groups reached etc. But rather than using quantitative indicators a qualitative long-term approach should be applied. Researchers more and more follow the practice and provide the needed tools: The level of participation in cultural life is compared with the level of well being for example.” The panel agreed: Festivals are one of the few places left where artists have almost complete freedom to create, freedom of thought, and that it is the task of festivals to convince politicians that festivals remain a public responsibility. “We should not lose that battle,” urged Mrs Zdravkovic. In terms of a festival’s responsibility it was agreed that barriers to access the arts should be removed as much as possible. “It is key to create an alternative way through which people can access culture and arts differently,” underlined Galin Stoev. “There is a ‘mental space’ where despite of cultural, educational or social differences we can meet without creating conflicts. This is a value and it should be a common agreement.” Festival directors present gave insight into how festivals practically remove those barriers: from a certain ticketing policy and free performances to alternative ways of participation in concerts to targeted projects which allow artists to work with certain social groups. Concluding the session Mrs Deventer took up the issue of individual responsibility and urged: “The change of mind-set leads to assuming responsibility. Let’s make use of this force of festivals to bring together individuals, to shape a sense of responsibility and to link with these individual levels of responsibility.” Referring to the political level, Mrs Deventer called for a ‘culturalisation’ of politics: “We have to integrate culture in other policy areas, into regional or urban development for example.” The “Open The Door” project is initiated at the occasion of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Dedicated to the motto “Festivals: Open Doors. Open Minds. Build Societies!” the session was the moment to present first results of the “Open The Door” initiative: best practice examples, tools and actions have been identified in a series of some 30 interviews with festival directors from all over Europe. The session was part of the EU Forum “Building together a society for all - A circus against exclusion” organised by the European Commission in the framework of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. It illustrated the European Year's message of shared responsibility, by giving an active role to various actors: public authorities, NGOs, social and cultural actors, foundations, as well as people experiencing poverty. All information on the session (programme, speakers, press release etc.) and information related to the “Open The Door” project (first results including a series of interviews and best practices, further events etc.) can be consulted via the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/932/Open%20The%20Door%20-%20EFA%20flagship%20project%202010/]news section on the “Open The Door” website. [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]Download the EFA report here. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]EFA report • [http://efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/PressRelease_EUForum_fin.pdf]EFA Press Release • [http://efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/Programme%20Card_Session_fin.pdf]Programme EFA's Open Space Session" target="_blank">news section on the “Open The Door” website. [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]Download the EFA report here. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]EFA report" target="_blank">news section on the “Open The Door” website. [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]Download the EFA report here" target="_blank">news section on the “Open The Door” website" target="_blank"> up. They don’t know how to use the power of international artistic creation.” She continued saying: “We have to underline that we are important for different reasons; not the whole world will appreciate and understand what we do but we can have a certain influence on some people and the course of their lives.” Reflecting further on the approach of audiences, Mr Stoev stressed: “I don’t believe we have to address people as a distinctive group, telling them because you are poor we are doing this or that for you. The crucial attitude we have to apply for the future is that we address people because they are human beings!” Asked in how far festivals could carry out also a social role and engage in social values Jelle Dierickx replied that “this is not even a question. Festivals are simply doing exactly that.” He clearly stated his point of view on the relation between politicians and festival organisers: “We have to make sure that politicians know they need us! Not vice versa. When you have two coins you should use one to buy bread and one to buy a bunch of flowers. We have to convince politicians about that.” He concluded: “The real poverty is a poverty in thinking! The richness of Europe is that we can fight and debate.” Representing the network’s perspective Kathrin Deventer stressed the need to adapt the way of measuring the value of the arts and its social relevance to the realities of the sector. “Politicians ask for indicators when they decide who to support financially. They ask for figures of audiences and target groups reached etc. But rather than using quantitative indicators a qualitative long-term approach should be applied. Researchers more and more follow the practice and provide the needed tools: The level of participation in cultural life is compared with the level of well being for example.” The panel agreed: Festivals are one of the few places left where artists have almost complete freedom to create, freedom of thought, and that it is the task of festivals to convince politicians that festivals remain a public responsibility. “We should not lose that battle,” urged Mrs Zdravkovic. In terms of a festival’s responsibility it was agreed that barriers to access the arts should be removed as much as possible. “It is key to create an alternative way through which people can access culture and arts differently,” underlined Galin Stoev. “There is a ‘mental space’ where despite of cultural, educational or social differences we can meet without creating conflicts. This is a value and it should be a common agreement.” Festival directors present gave insight into how festivals practically remove those barriers: from a certain ticketing policy and free performances to alternative ways of participation in concerts to targeted projects which allow artists to work with certain social groups. Concluding the session Mrs Deventer took up the issue of individual responsibility and urged: “The change of mind-set leads to assuming responsibility. Let’s make use of this force of festivals to bring together individuals, to shape a sense of responsibility and to link with these individual levels of responsibility.” Referring to the political level, Mrs Deventer called for a ‘culturalisation’ of politics: “We have to integrate culture in other policy areas, into regional or urban development for example.” The “Open The Door” project is initiated at the occasion of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Dedicated to the motto “Festivals: Open Doors. Open Minds. Build Societies!” the session was the moment to present first results of the “Open The Door” initiative: best practice examples, tools and actions have been identified in a series of some 30 interviews with festival directors from all over Europe. The session was part of the EU Forum “Building together a society for all - A circus against exclusion” organised by the European Commission in the framework of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. It illustrated the European Year's message of shared responsibility, by giving an active role to various actors: public authorities, NGOs, social and cultural actors, foundations, as well as people experiencing poverty. All information on the session (programme, speakers, press release etc.) and information related to the “Open The Door” project (first results including a series of interviews and best practices, further events etc.) can be consulted via the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/932/Open%20The%20Door%20-%20EFA%20flagship%20project%202010/]news section on the “Open The Door” website. [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]Download the EFA report here. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]EFA report • [http://efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/PressRelease_EUForum_fin.pdf]EFA Press Release" target="_blank">Download the EFA report here" target="_blank">news section on the “Open The Door” website" target="_blank"> up. They don’t know how to use the power of international artistic creation.” She continued saying: “We have to underline that we are important for different reasons; not the whole world will appreciate and understand what we do but we can have a certain influence on some people and the course of their lives.” Reflecting further on the approach of audiences, Mr Stoev stressed: “I don’t believe we have to address people as a distinctive group, telling them because you are poor we are doing this or that for you. The crucial attitude we have to apply for the future is that we address people because they are human beings!” Asked in how far festivals could carry out also a social role and engage in social values Jelle Dierickx replied that “this is not even a question. Festivals are simply doing exactly that.” He clearly stated his point of view on the relation between politicians and festival organisers: “We have to make sure that politicians know they need us! Not vice versa. When you have two coins you should use one to buy bread and one to buy a bunch of flowers. We have to convince politicians about that.” He concluded: “The real poverty is a poverty in thinking! The richness of Europe is that we can fight and debate.” Representing the network’s perspective Kathrin Deventer stressed the need to adapt the way of measuring the value of the arts and its social relevance to the realities of the sector. “Politicians ask for indicators when they decide who to support financially. They ask for figures of audiences and target groups reached etc. But rather than using quantitative indicators a qualitative long-term approach should be applied. Researchers more and more follow the practice and provide the needed tools: The level of participation in cultural life is compared with the level of well being for example.” The panel agreed: Festivals are one of the few places left where artists have almost complete freedom to create, freedom of thought, and that it is the task of festivals to convince politicians that festivals remain a public responsibility. “We should not lose that battle,” urged Mrs Zdravkovic. In terms of a festival’s responsibility it was agreed that barriers to access the arts should be removed as much as possible. “It is key to create an alternative way through which people can access culture and arts differently,” underlined Galin Stoev. “There is a ‘mental space’ where despite of cultural, educational or social differences we can meet without creating conflicts. This is a value and it should be a common agreement.” Festival directors present gave insight into how festivals practically remove those barriers: from a certain ticketing policy and free performances to alternative ways of participation in concerts to targeted projects which allow artists to work with certain social groups. Concluding the session Mrs Deventer took up the issue of individual responsibility and urged: “The change of mind-set leads to assuming responsibility. Let’s make use of this force of festivals to bring together individuals, to shape a sense of responsibility and to link with these individual levels of responsibility.” Referring to the political level, Mrs Deventer called for a ‘culturalisation’ of politics: “We have to integrate culture in other policy areas, into regional or urban development for example.” The “Open The Door” project is initiated at the occasion of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Dedicated to the motto “Festivals: Open Doors. Open Minds. Build Societies!” the session was the moment to present first results of the “Open The Door” initiative: best practice examples, tools and actions have been identified in a series of some 30 interviews with festival directors from all over Europe. The session was part of the EU Forum “Building together a society for all - A circus against exclusion” organised by the European Commission in the framework of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. It illustrated the European Year's message of shared responsibility, by giving an active role to various actors: public authorities, NGOs, social and cultural actors, foundations, as well as people experiencing poverty. All information on the session (programme, speakers, press release etc.) and information related to the “Open The Door” project (first results including a series of interviews and best practices, further events etc.) can be consulted via the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/932/Open%20The%20Door%20-%20EFA%20flagship%20project%202010/]news section on the “Open The Door” website. [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]Download the EFA report here. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]EFA report" target="_blank">news section on the “Open The Door” website. [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]Download the EFA report here" target="_blank">news section on the “Open The Door” website" target="_blank"> up. They don’t know how to use the power of international artistic creation.” She continued saying: “We have to underline that we are important for different reasons; not the whole world will appreciate and understand what we do but we can have a certain influence on some people and the course of their lives.” Reflecting further on the approach of audiences, Mr Stoev stressed: “I don’t believe we have to address people as a distinctive group, telling them because you are poor we are doing this or that for you. The crucial attitude we have to apply for the future is that we address people because they are human beings!” Asked in how far festivals could carry out also a social role and engage in social values Jelle Dierickx replied that “this is not even a question. Festivals are simply doing exactly that.” He clearly stated his point of view on the relation between politicians and festival organisers: “We have to make sure that politicians know they need us! Not vice versa. When you have two coins you should use one to buy bread and one to buy a bunch of flowers. We have to convince politicians about that.” He concluded: “The real poverty is a poverty in thinking! The richness of Europe is that we can fight and debate.” Representing the network’s perspective Kathrin Deventer stressed the need to adapt the way of measuring the value of the arts and its social relevance to the realities of the sector. “Politicians ask for indicators when they decide who to support financially. They ask for figures of audiences and target groups reached etc. But rather than using quantitative indicators a qualitative long-term approach should be applied. Researchers more and more follow the practice and provide the needed tools: The level of participation in cultural life is compared with the level of well being for example.” The panel agreed: Festivals are one of the few places left where artists have almost complete freedom to create, freedom of thought, and that it is the task of festivals to convince politicians that festivals remain a public responsibility. “We should not lose that battle,” urged Mrs Zdravkovic. In terms of a festival’s responsibility it was agreed that barriers to access the arts should be removed as much as possible. “It is key to create an alternative way through which people can access culture and arts differently,” underlined Galin Stoev. “There is a ‘mental space’ where despite of cultural, educational or social differences we can meet without creating conflicts. This is a value and it should be a common agreement.” Festival directors present gave insight into how festivals practically remove those barriers: from a certain ticketing policy and free performances to alternative ways of participation in concerts to targeted projects which allow artists to work with certain social groups. Concluding the session Mrs Deventer took up the issue of individual responsibility and urged: “The change of mind-set leads to assuming responsibility. Let’s make use of this force of festivals to bring together individuals, to shape a sense of responsibility and to link with these individual levels of responsibility.” Referring to the political level, Mrs Deventer called for a ‘culturalisation’ of politics: “We have to integrate culture in other policy areas, into regional or urban development for example.” The “Open The Door” project is initiated at the occasion of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Dedicated to the motto “Festivals: Open Doors. Open Minds. Build Societies!” the session was the moment to present first results of the “Open The Door” initiative: best practice examples, tools and actions have been identified in a series of some 30 interviews with festival directors from all over Europe. The session was part of the EU Forum “Building together a society for all - A circus against exclusion” organised by the European Commission in the framework of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. It illustrated the European Year's message of shared responsibility, by giving an active role to various actors: public authorities, NGOs, social and cultural actors, foundations, as well as people experiencing poverty. All information on the session (programme, speakers, press release etc.) and information related to the “Open The Door” project (first results including a series of interviews and best practices, further events etc.) can be consulted via the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/932/Open%20The%20Door%20-%20EFA%20flagship%20project%202010/]news section on the “Open The Door” website. [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]Download the EFA report here. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]EFA report • [http://efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/PressRelease_EUForum_fin.pdf]EFA Press Release • [http://efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/Programme%20Card_Session_fin.pdf]Programme EFA's Open Space Session • [http://www.open-the-door.eu/]“Open The Door” website" target="_blank">Download the EFA report here. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]EFA report" target="_blank">news section on the “Open The Door” website. [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]Download the EFA report here" target="_blank">news section on the “Open The Door” website" target="_blank"> up. They don’t know how to use the power of international artistic creation.” She continued saying: “We have to underline that we are important for different reasons; not the whole world will appreciate and understand what we do but we can have a certain influence on some people and the course of their lives.” Reflecting further on the approach of audiences, Mr Stoev stressed: “I don’t believe we have to address people as a distinctive group, telling them because you are poor we are doing this or that for you. The crucial attitude we have to apply for the future is that we address people because they are human beings!” Asked in how far festivals could carry out also a social role and engage in social values Jelle Dierickx replied that “this is not even a question. Festivals are simply doing exactly that.” He clearly stated his point of view on the relation between politicians and festival organisers: “We have to make sure that politicians know they need us! Not vice versa. When you have two coins you should use one to buy bread and one to buy a bunch of flowers. We have to convince politicians about that.” He concluded: “The real poverty is a poverty in thinking! The richness of Europe is that we can fight and debate.” Representing the network’s perspective Kathrin Deventer stressed the need to adapt the way of measuring the value of the arts and its social relevance to the realities of the sector. “Politicians ask for indicators when they decide who to support financially. They ask for figures of audiences and target groups reached etc. But rather than using quantitative indicators a qualitative long-term approach should be applied. Researchers more and more follow the practice and provide the needed tools: The level of participation in cultural life is compared with the level of well being for example.” The panel agreed: Festivals are one of the few places left where artists have almost complete freedom to create, freedom of thought, and that it is the task of festivals to convince politicians that festivals remain a public responsibility. “We should not lose that battle,” urged Mrs Zdravkovic. In terms of a festival’s responsibility it was agreed that barriers to access the arts should be removed as much as possible. “It is key to create an alternative way through which people can access culture and arts differently,” underlined Galin Stoev. “There is a ‘mental space’ where despite of cultural, educational or social differences we can meet without creating conflicts. This is a value and it should be a common agreement.” Festival directors present gave insight into how festivals practically remove those barriers: from a certain ticketing policy and free performances to alternative ways of participation in concerts to targeted projects which allow artists to work with certain social groups. Concluding the session Mrs Deventer took up the issue of individual responsibility and urged: “The change of mind-set leads to assuming responsibility. Let’s make use of this force of festivals to bring together individuals, to shape a sense of responsibility and to link with these individual levels of responsibility.” Referring to the political level, Mrs Deventer called for a ‘culturalisation’ of politics: “We have to integrate culture in other policy areas, into regional or urban development for example.” The “Open The Door” project is initiated at the occasion of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Dedicated to the motto “Festivals: Open Doors. Open Minds. Build Societies!” the session was the moment to present first results of the “Open The Door” initiative: best practice examples, tools and actions have been identified in a series of some 30 interviews with festival directors from all over Europe. The session was part of the EU Forum “Building together a society for all - A circus against exclusion” organised by the European Commission in the framework of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. It illustrated the European Year's message of shared responsibility, by giving an active role to various actors: public authorities, NGOs, social and cultural actors, foundations, as well as people experiencing poverty. All information on the session (programme, speakers, press release etc.) and information related to the “Open The Door” project (first results including a series of interviews and best practices, further events etc.) can be consulted via the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/932/Open%20The%20Door%20-%20EFA%20flagship%20project%202010/]news section on the “Open The Door” website. [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]Download the EFA report here. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]EFA report • [http://efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/PressRelease_EUForum_fin.pdf]EFA Press Release" target="_blank">Download the EFA report here" target="_blank">news section on the “Open The Door” website" target="_blank"> up. They don’t know how to use the power of international artistic creation.” She continued saying: “We have to underline that we are important for different reasons; not the whole world will appreciate and understand what we do but we can have a certain influence on some people and the course of their lives.” Reflecting further on the approach of audiences, Mr Stoev stressed: “I don’t believe we have to address people as a distinctive group, telling them because you are poor we are doing this or that for you. The crucial attitude we have to apply for the future is that we address people because they are human beings!” Asked in how far festivals could carry out also a social role and engage in social values Jelle Dierickx replied that “this is not even a question. Festivals are simply doing exactly that.” He clearly stated his point of view on the relation between politicians and festival organisers: “We have to make sure that politicians know they need us! Not vice versa. When you have two coins you should use one to buy bread and one to buy a bunch of flowers. We have to convince politicians about that.” He concluded: “The real poverty is a poverty in thinking! The richness of Europe is that we can fight and debate.” Representing the network’s perspective Kathrin Deventer stressed the need to adapt the way of measuring the value of the arts and its social relevance to the realities of the sector. “Politicians ask for indicators when they decide who to support financially. They ask for figures of audiences and target groups reached etc. But rather than using quantitative indicators a qualitative long-term approach should be applied. Researchers more and more follow the practice and provide the needed tools: The level of participation in cultural life is compared with the level of well being for example.” The panel agreed: Festivals are one of the few places left where artists have almost complete freedom to create, freedom of thought, and that it is the task of festivals to convince politicians that festivals remain a public responsibility. “We should not lose that battle,” urged Mrs Zdravkovic. In terms of a festival’s responsibility it was agreed that barriers to access the arts should be removed as much as possible. “It is key to create an alternative way through which people can access culture and arts differently,” underlined Galin Stoev. “There is a ‘mental space’ where despite of cultural, educational or social differences we can meet without creating conflicts. This is a value and it should be a common agreement.” Festival directors present gave insight into how festivals practically remove those barriers: from a certain ticketing policy and free performances to alternative ways of participation in concerts to targeted projects which allow artists to work with certain social groups. Concluding the session Mrs Deventer took up the issue of individual responsibility and urged: “The change of mind-set leads to assuming responsibility. Let’s make use of this force of festivals to bring together individuals, to shape a sense of responsibility and to link with these individual levels of responsibility.” Referring to the political level, Mrs Deventer called for a ‘culturalisation’ of politics: “We have to integrate culture in other policy areas, into regional or urban development for example.” The “Open The Door” project is initiated at the occasion of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Dedicated to the motto “Festivals: Open Doors. Open Minds. Build Societies!” the session was the moment to present first results of the “Open The Door” initiative: best practice examples, tools and actions have been identified in a series of some 30 interviews with festival directors from all over Europe. The session was part of the EU Forum “Building together a society for all - A circus against exclusion” organised by the European Commission in the framework of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. It illustrated the European Year's message of shared responsibility, by giving an active role to various actors: public authorities, NGOs, social and cultural actors, foundations, as well as people experiencing poverty. All information on the session (programme, speakers, press release etc.) and information related to the “Open The Door” project (first results including a series of interviews and best practices, further events etc.) can be consulted via the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/932/Open%20The%20Door%20-%20EFA%20flagship%20project%202010/]news section on the “Open The Door” website. [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]Download the EFA report here. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]EFA report" target="_blank">news section on the “Open The Door” website. [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]Download the EFA report here" target="_blank">news section on the “Open The Door” website" target="_blank"> up. They don’t know how to use the power of international artistic creation.” She continued saying: “We have to underline that we are important for different reasons; not the whole world will appreciate and understand what we do but we can have a certain influence on some people and the course of their lives.” Reflecting further on the approach of audiences, Mr Stoev stressed: “I don’t believe we have to address people as a distinctive group, telling them because you are poor we are doing this or that for you. The crucial attitude we have to apply for the future is that we address people because they are human beings!” Asked in how far festivals could carry out also a social role and engage in social values Jelle Dierickx replied that “this is not even a question. Festivals are simply doing exactly that.” He clearly stated his point of view on the relation between politicians and festival organisers: “We have to make sure that politicians know they need us! Not vice versa. When you have two coins you should use one to buy bread and one to buy a bunch of flowers. We have to convince politicians about that.” He concluded: “The real poverty is a poverty in thinking! The richness of Europe is that we can fight and debate.” Representing the network’s perspective Kathrin Deventer stressed the need to adapt the way of measuring the value of the arts and its social relevance to the realities of the sector. “Politicians ask for indicators when they decide who to support financially. They ask for figures of audiences and target groups reached etc. But rather than using quantitative indicators a qualitative long-term approach should be applied. Researchers more and more follow the practice and provide the needed tools: The level of participation in cultural life is compared with the level of well being for example.” The panel agreed: Festivals are one of the few places left where artists have almost complete freedom to create, freedom of thought, and that it is the task of festivals to convince politicians that festivals remain a public responsibility. “We should not lose that battle,” urged Mrs Zdravkovic. In terms of a festival’s responsibility it was agreed that barriers to access the arts should be removed as much as possible. “It is key to create an alternative way through which people can access culture and arts differently,” underlined Galin Stoev. “There is a ‘mental space’ where despite of cultural, educational or social differences we can meet without creating conflicts. This is a value and it should be a common agreement.” Festival directors present gave insight into how festivals practically remove those barriers: from a certain ticketing policy and free performances to alternative ways of participation in concerts to targeted projects which allow artists to work with certain social groups. Concluding the session Mrs Deventer took up the issue of individual responsibility and urged: “The change of mind-set leads to assuming responsibility. Let’s make use of this force of festivals to bring together individuals, to shape a sense of responsibility and to link with these individual levels of responsibility.” Referring to the political level, Mrs Deventer called for a ‘culturalisation’ of politics: “We have to integrate culture in other policy areas, into regional or urban development for example.” The “Open The Door” project is initiated at the occasion of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Dedicated to the motto “Festivals: Open Doors. Open Minds. Build Societies!” the session was the moment to present first results of the “Open The Door” initiative: best practice examples, tools and actions have been identified in a series of some 30 interviews with festival directors from all over Europe. The session was part of the EU Forum “Building together a society for all - A circus against exclusion” organised by the European Commission in the framework of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. It illustrated the European Year's message of shared responsibility, by giving an active role to various actors: public authorities, NGOs, social and cultural actors, foundations, as well as people experiencing poverty. All information on the session (programme, speakers, press release etc.) and information related to the “Open The Door” project (first results including a series of interviews and best practices, further events etc.) can be consulted via the [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/association/news/detail/932/Open%20The%20Door%20-%20EFA%20flagship%20project%202010/]news section on the “Open The Door” website. [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]Download the EFA report here. Related links and documents: • [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/EFA%20at%20EU%20Forum_report.pdf]EFA report • [http://efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/PressRelease_EUForum_fin.pdf]EFA Press Release • [http