End of May’17 our yet small team was invited to the annual conference of the European Cultural Parliament in Rotterdam. The city’s open environment and incredible friendliness was an exceptional stage for us to showcase our new ideas and present our launching concept of a revived ECP-Youth to the members of the senior network.
After two days of exceptional discussions, debates, and cultural events tackling the conference topic ‘Unity in Diversity’, we finally got to present the new ECP - Future Generation. We began with a small introduction explaining our vision for the network: to promote creative and innovative ideas for an inspired Europe. By creating a platform for exchange, professional development, and socio-political involvement, we hope to give creativity a meaningful voice and to strengthen European ties. We continued illustrating our four main focus areas: mentorship program, yearly festival, newsfeed & blog, and the opportunity for members to participate at the Annual ECP-Conferences.
The mentorship network will consist mainly out of ECP members who are experts in their respective cultural profession. Mentors will be invited to our festivals and hopefully in the future conduct workshops for FG members throughout the year. We believe that such correspondence and collaboration will be useful for young artists and creative members, as the exchange of knowledge and positive criticism can develop a good platform for dialogue and close the gap between the two generations of thought.
Our members will also receive the unique opportunity to apply for participation at the Annual ECP-Conferences. Each year the conference picks up a topic, relevant to current social and political events. FG members will be enabled to actively participate, and contribute to the program. They will also be given the chance to meet all our mentors in one place and connect with other members of the senior network.
After the annual conferences we plan to organise an artistic follow up for the topics discussed. Members will be actively shaping a cultural event by displaying and performing their art and ideas, whatever they may entail, whether fine arts, music, writings, and the like. The festival will also include debates and panel discussions. It is here that we wish to implement workshops, exhibitions, and a growing awareness to the issues of Europe on a more tangible and personal scale. For now it will be an annual Festival in Berlin, but for the future we hope to have a different European host city each year.
Social Media Channels and our news feed on the website will keep members updated on relevant current events, as well as the organizational activities and development. A blog inspirited by our members themselves, will create room for creative exchange and debates. An updated social-media and website outlet will appeal to young and energetic members, while maintaining presence and visibility regardless of location in the European continent.
We firmly believe that the blend of diversity in origin and age, platforms and activities will create an innovative and long-lasting environment for aspiring artists and cultural professionals to grow and to contribute to an inspired Europe.
Not only after our presentation, but throughout the entire conference, we have obtained a very good response from several prominent ECP members. Their support will be of great value to us as we introduce new members and work to towards a sustainable organisation that will enable young artists and creators alike to represent an new European concept in terms of identity and solutions going forward among these troubling yet interesting times.
