Representatives from the EU's Culture Ministries met in Cannes on 27 January to discuss the challenges facing the music industry at an informal meeting held to coincide with the start of this year's MIDEM international trade fair for the music and recording industry. At the event, European Commissioner Ján Figel' announced the launch of a study on the role of culture, and the EU's cultural industries, in promoting and stimulating creativity, innovation and growth in the EU.

The European Commissioner for Education, Training, Youth and Culture, Mr Ján Figel', and the French Minister for Culture and Communication, Ms Christine Albanel, hosted an informal meeting in Cannes, France, of representatives from the Member States' Culture Ministries to discuss the potential of culture to boost jobs and growth. They were joined by music industry representatives Denis Olivennes, Bernard Miyet and Michel Lambot. The meeting took place during the annual gathering of Europe's music industries at the MIDEM international trade fair.

As far as creative and cultural industries are concerned, the Commissioner announced the creation of a group of experts from Member States and a group with civil society organisations, whose tasks will be to focus on unleashing the full potential of the cultural and creative industries, especially in small and medium sized enterprises, to help achieve the aims of the EU's Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs.

The Commissioner also announced that a new study will get underway in February to investigate the circumstances that effectively contribute to stimulating creativity in the EU. The study should also focus on ways to further explore and promote the specific role of culture in fostering creativity. This study will also help identify the type of actions that should be implemented during the forthcoming "European Year of Creativity and Innovation through Education and Culture" in 2009.

After the meeting with representatives from the Culture Ministries, the European Commission presented the European Border Breakers Awards for 2008, which were given to 10 European artists or groups for their success in reaching audiences outside their home market. During the show, which was moderated by Ray Cokes, the well-known TV presenter, the audience was treated to a guest performance by the French singer/rapper Abd al Malik, who is also one of fifteen 'Ambassadors' for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008.

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For further information on similar programmes  vistit the Culture website

Details on the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (2008) can be found at this website