The approval of the EU Charter on Fundamental rights in 2000 represented a pivotal step in the creation of a conscious and mindful European citizenship for all European inhabitants. The definition of common values and rights, valid for more than 450 million people, symbolizes, on the one side, the consolidation of democratic reality for those countries already part of the Union and on the other side, an essential element for the democratic transition for those countries which saw in the membership process, a real passage to the acquisition of fundamental rights and freedoms. After more than 20 years, many European citizens are not fully aware of the content of the Charter and as stated in the new Strategy to strengthen the application, it is vital to
“make the Charter a reality for all”
In order to concretise these concepts in a bottom – up perspective, the project Art4Rights will use the full potential of the participatory public art methodology through the idea of transforming a “city space” into a “city place” thanks to citizens’ participation. This action would help to make EU rights and values more tangible and participated among citizens.
To increase citizens’ sense of ownership towards the EU and its values stimulating Critical Thinking and awareness of the importance of cultural heritage to ground democracy.
To reflect on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the concepts of rights, values and freedom in order to assess the functioning of local communities, as well as on the forms that civic participation take in the pandemic period.
To increase citizens’ interest towards their own city and its history and art expression through the participatory public art while developing mutual understanding based on EU rights with the application at local level of the EU Charter;.
To exchange practices at EU level and networking at local level (with stakeholders) and transnationally.
