The last MCEL seminar of the academic year 2015-2016 will take place on the 21th June from 15.00-17.00.

MCEL member Dr. Evangelia Psychogiopoulou will present on the cultural method of coordination, which will be followed with comments by Kate Mattocks. Kate Mattocks is a PhD researcher at City University London. Her PhD research examines multi-level intergovernmental policy coordination in the governance of a limited but politically charged competence in the European Union: culture.
 
Please find below more information about the theme and presentation of this MCEL seminar.

Title: The cultural open method of coordination: A new boost for European cultural policies?

Abstract: This presentation focuses on the use of the open method of coordination (OMC) as one of the cultural policy tools employed by the EU in the wake of the European Commission’s Communication on a European Agenda for Culture in a Globalizing World (COM (2007) 242)). Endorsed by the Council of the EU, the cultural OMC has been conceived as a flexible, non-binding and voluntary framework for structuring member states’ cooperation around key objectives of the Cultural Agenda and for fostering the exchange of best practice. The Council has also stressed the importance of the cultural OMC for generating analysis and policy advice aimed at feeding cultural policy-making at the national and EU level.

Launched in 2008, the cultural OMC has sought to promote policy dialogue by generating a number of recommendations for national and European decision-makers. The purpose of this presentation is to examine whether the cultural OMC is fit for purpose and to reflect on its impact on national and EU policies. Does the cultural OMC allow for enhanced cultural collaboration, mutual learning and cultural policy development in accordance with its pronounced objectives? Has it exerted an influence on the formulation of member states’ cultural policies? What are its effects on EU cultural action?

The analysis builds on semi-structured interviews with cultural OMC participants and a variety of EU documents concerning the design and operationalization of the cultural OMC through two distinct cycles (2008-2010; 2011-2014). The presentation aspires to work towards a better understanding of intergovernmental policy coordination in the field of culture.

 
We look forward to welcome as many of you at this MCEL seminar.