KCTOS: Knowledge, Creativity and Transformations of Societies

Towards a Europe of Knowledge...

We live in a knowledge society. We have gone from an information society to a knowledge society where the meaning of human resources and capacities has become more and more important and where therefore the work of artists, of creators is seen in a different way. However, there is still a certain imbalance between the rhetoric of speeches and the reality of policies!

To enable culturally diverse citizens to fully participate in a knowledge society, policies will have to address, on the one hand, the existing barriers to access and usability, as well as, on the other, meaningful participation and use.

The Council of Europe is aware of this need and recognises that building a democratic, inclusive and equitable knowledge society is a shared responsibility. The Organisation assists its member states and their authorities, as well as civil society bodies, to develop appropriate policy responses putting a focus on access to information, to education and to culture.

In this line of thinking and action we greet the participants and organisers of the 2007 INST conference on "Knowledge, Creativity and Transformations of Societies" and wish them challenging debates into the meaning and potential of new virtual structures, of old and new ways of learning and knowledge production as well as on the role of culture and the arts in a pluricultural Europe and moreover, globalised world.

And, of course, my Organisation looks forward with excitement to share the deep insights on these transdisciplinary issues, which you will all together generate during the coming days!

Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni (Strasbourg)
Director General of Ecudation, Culture and Heritage, Youth and Sport
Coordinator for the Intercultural Dialogue Council of Europe