European Cultural Convention

The European Cultural Convention is an international Council of Europe's treaty to strengthen, deepen and further develop a European culture, by using local culture as a starting point. Setting common goals and a plan of action to reach an integrated European society, celebrating universal values, rights and diversity. The Convention contributes to joint action by encouraging cultural activities of European interest.

History
The European Cultural Convention was opened for signature by the Council of Europe in Paris on 19 December 1954 and entered into force on 5 May 1955. Its signature is one of the conditions for becoming a participating state in the Bologna Process and its European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The term "Convention" is used as a synonym for an international legal treaty.

The convention has been ratified by all 47 member states of the Council of Europe and also by Belarus, the Holy See, and Kazakhstan.

The Council of Europe's Youth Sector with the European Youth Foundation, the European Youth Centres and its co-managed structures like the Advisory Council on Youth (AC) and the European Steering Committee for Youth (CDEJ) covers all countries signatory to the European Cultural Convention, because the youth sector originally came under the Directorate of Education, Culture and Sport.

Members
The 50 Signatories to the European Cultural Convention are: