An estimated 300,000 people work directly in the EU’s cultural sector and it is indirectly responsible for up to 7.8 million jobs. The Parliament conference aimed to increase awareness of the social and economic importance of culture and heritage.

The conference took place against the backdrop of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018. To mark the year thousands of activities are taking place across Europe to involve people more closely with cultural heritage at local, regional, national and European levels.

The conference, organised at the initiative of Parliament President Antonio Tajani and in close cooperation with the culture committee, chaired by Petra Kammerevert, brought together political leaders, policy makers and stakeholders, as well as some very well-known guests to debate the challenges of the sector in three panels:

Cultural heritage and Europeanness

Preserving and promoting cultural heritage

Innovation and the economic potential of cultural heritage

“In the 3,000 years of our common history we have been able to forge our shared identity and this should not be forgotten,” said Parliament President Tajani.

Panels included artists from different fields and stakeholders delivering testimonies. There were also two live music performances and an exhibition on video games.