Porto Santo Charter | From Democratization to Cultural Democracy
MCA participated to the conference “From Democratization to Cultural Democracy: Rethinking Institutions and Practices” was an hybrid event, organised under the auspices of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, between the 27th and the 28th of April 2021.
It took place in Porto Santo Island, on the Madeira Archipelago, one of the outermost regions of Europe. As an hybrid event, it had a strong online presence, involving 490 participants from 37 countries worldwide, mobilising the collaboration of major European cultural networks and non-governmental organisations.
MCA was honoured to to co-chair a workshop of the Conference, bringing our expertise in the field of education through cultural heritage and the role of digital for cultural democracy.
More resources, including videos of the conference, will soon be posted online at https://portosantocharter.eu/ .
The conference stems directly fromthe Porto Santo Charter, a pivotal document of which MCA is a proud signatory. It serves as a roadmap for cultural democracy in Europe, aiming to strengthen democracy through cultural participation. It emphasizes inclusivity and the transformative power of culture, addressing the inequalities exposed by the Covid19 pandemic. It builds upon previous documents and consultations, advocating for cultural diversity and the empowerment of communities. The Charter distinguishes between the paradigms of “Democratisation of Culture” and “Cultural Democracy,” highlighting the importance of recognizing and valuing diverse cultural practices. Recommendations span policy-making, institutional practices, education, digital access, and community engagement, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to promote cultural citizenship and democracy throughout Europe.
