EESC Public Hearing on the Culture Compass for Europe – Brussels & Online

Thursday, 12 February 2026 (9:30–12:30)
Online & Brussels (European Economic and Social Committee, Rue Van Maerlant 2)
 

This hybrid public hearing, organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), aims to present and discuss the European Commission’s proposal for a Culture Compass for Europe, a new strategic framework intended to place culture at the heart of EU policymaking. The event will gather key institutional actors, civil society organisations – including Europa Nostra –, social partners, and experts to reflect on the Compass’s priorities and to contribute to the preparation of the EESC Opinion (SOC/853).

To facilitate a focused debate, the four axes of the Compass are grouped into two thematic panels: one exploring cultural rights, democratic values and Europe’s global cultural role, and the other addressing the conditions of artists and cultural professionals alongside the competitiveness, resilience and social cohesion of Europe’s cultural ecosystems.

For more information about the event and the latest version of the Programme, please visit the EESC website.

Register to the event here – both for online and in-person participation – by 10 February 2026 at 10.00 CET

 

Draft Programme

09:30-09:45
Welcome and Introduction

• Florin BERCEA, President of the SOC/853 Study Group
• Luca JAHIER, SOC/853 Rapporteur

09:45-10:15
General presentation and discussion of the European Commission proposal

• Normunds POPENS, Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (EAC) OR Catherine MAGNANT, Head of Unit, Cultural Policy (EAC.D.1), Directorate-General Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (EAC)
• MEP Nela RIEHL (DE-Greens/EFA), Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) – TBC
• Tanya HRISTOVA, Member of the Committee of the Regions (BG/EPP), Rapporteur on the Culture Compass – TBC

Q&A

10:15-11:15
Session 1: Cultural Rights, Democracy and Europe’s Global Cultural Role

This session covers Axes 1 and 4 of the Culture Compass (upholding European values and cultural rights; and promoting Europe’s cultural relations globally). It will examine how to safeguard artistic freedom, promote cultural and linguistic diversity, and widen participation in and access to culture as core democratic values. The discussion will also look outward, considering how multilateral engagement in culture can support a more open, resilient and value-driven Europe.

• Lodovico FOLIN CALABI, Director, UNESCO Liaison Office in Brussels
• Luiza MOROZ, Head of Advocacy, Culture Action Europe
• Vanessa FRAGA PROL, Advocacy and Partnerships Manager, Europa Nostra
• Sarah WHYATT, Research Director, Freemuse
• Clementine DAUBEUF, Project Coordinator, Eurocities

Q&A

11:15-12:15
Session 2: Empowering Artists and Strengthening Europe’s Cultural Ecosystems

This session covers Axes 2 and 3 of the Culture Compass (empowering artists and cultural professionals; strengthening competitiveness, resilience and social cohesion through culture). It will explore how to improve working conditions and mobility for cultural professionals, support young and emerging talent, and reinforce the role of cultural education and culture’s contribution to health and well-being. It will also look at the broader ecosystem: the opportunities and challenges of digital technologies and AI, culture-led territorial development, the protection and promotion of cultural heritage, and the contribution of culture and creativity to environmental sustainability and climate action.

• Anita DEBAERE, Director, Pearle* Live Performance Europe
• Daphné TEPPER, Policy Director, UNI-MEI (Media, entertainment and arts), UNI Global Union
• Matthias HORNSCHUH, Spokesperson, Authors Rights Initiative (Germany)
• Edith WOLF PEREZ, Co-Founder and Chairwoman, Arts for health Austria
• Nikolett SZOLNOKI, Advocacy Coordinator, European confederation of industrial and service cooperatives (CECOP)

Q&A

12:15-12:30
Conclusions

• Luca JAHIER, SOC/853 Rapporteur
• Florin BERCEA, President of the SOC/853 Study Group

 

Interpreting: Participants can speak and listen into English, French, Italian and Romanian.