[caption id="attachment_6670" align="alignright" width="207" caption="Annamari Laaksonen"][/caption]

Making culture accessible - Access, participation and cultural provision in the context of cultural rights in Europe by Annamari Laaksonen is published by the Council of Europe.

The enjoyment and fulfilment of the right to participate in culture requires an enabling environment and a legal framework that offers a solid basis for the protection of rights related to cultural actions. A society that demonstrates an interest in nurturing cultural and spiritual needs in conditions of liberty has a greater chance of developing a sense of social responsibility among its members.

This study is a general overview of existing legal and policy frameworks in Europe, covering access to and participation in cultural life, cultural provision and cultural rights. It aims at facilitating an environment that enables the development of access and participation in this area. The study also pays due tribute to local civil society organisations and cultural associations, in recognition of the important role they play in making access to culture possible.

In an interview for LabforCulture author Annamari Laaksonen, who works as a Researcher and Programme Officer at Interarts Foundation in Barcelona, talks about the study, the need for local level cultural policies with a strong ethical dimension and the right to participate in cultural life.

Making Culture Accessible is available from the Council of Europe