S. Kairys: “Libraries must become a part of European Democracy Shield”

The Minister of Culture Simonas Kairys has emphasised the role of libraries in strengthening media literacy at the meeting of the Ministers of Culture of the European Union (EU) in Brussels.

“Libraries must become a part of the European crisis and security challenge preparedness policy and of the European Democracy Shield. We need to see them as centres that work directly with the society’s resilience to disinformation, propaganda and hybrid threats”, said S. Kairys.

According to him, Lithuania has a strong focus on libraries and media literacy, with the Media and Information Literacy Programme (MIRKT) starting in 2022. Public libraries must be recognised as providers of essential services to society, on the basis of the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights. Their mission is clear: they are institutions that strengthen democracy, educate and empower the society, and are safe and secure public social spaces.

As an example, S. Kairys listed the Ukrainian libraries, which have become targets of the aggressor Russia and are being targeted for destruction as centres of national spirit, culture, education, reliable information and community gathering. He has informed that Lithuania supports Ukrainian libraries through the exchange of knowledge and experience, including the strengthening of democratic society and media literacy. This year, the bilateral Lithuanian-Ukrainian Librarians' Forum organised by libraries was attended by almost 1000 professionals from Ukraine and Lithuania, and a programme for Ukrainian cultural workers will be launched in cultural institutions from the following year.

The EU Ministers of Culture also approved the Council conclusions on improving access to culture, and in an informal discussion, they discussed the priorities for culture policy and the future of funding in the new EU budgetary programming period.

S. Kairys has pointed out that Europe needs to maintain a separate programme “Creative Europe” that effectively supports the efforts of Member States. This programme ensures that artists and culture professionals could move freely, collaborate, develop joint projects and produce collective output.

In Brussels, S. Kairys also met his colleagues from the Baltic States and Poland. They discussed the EU funding for culture and the protection of digitised cultural heritage, and the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU from 1 January 2025 presented its priorities for the Presidency.

Last updated: 12-12-2024

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