Author: UNESCO

Publication Year: 1978

Media Type: Report

Summary:

We have divided the report into four parts. The first and last chapters deal with matters of principle. The other two contain accounts of conditions and experiences in the six participating countries. Chapter 1 sets out points of departure. We observe that there are many different opinions about what culture really is. Our task is to gather and interpret experiences on the basis of people's situation in working life. What possibilities of self-fulfilment can the workplace offer employees as individuals and as a group?

Abstract:

We have divided the report into four parts. The first and last chapters deal with matters of principle. The other two contain accounts of conditions and experiences in the six participating countries. Chapter 1 sets out points of departure. We observe that there are many different opinions about what culture really is. Our task is to gather and interpret experiences on the basis of people's situation in working life. What possibilities of self-fulfilment can the workplace offer employees as individuals and as a group?

Talking about culture must therefore entail discussing what needs to be and what can be added to working life to enable people to develop as whole human beings. With this in mind we have sought fruitful points of departure in the extensive literature available and found three lines of approach which should all be considered when discussing culture and working life. With this approach it is not a matter of paramount importance what shoud be called culture and what should not. The essential thing was to find a method capable of inspiring changes in working life and thus in social life as whole. The usefulness of our approach must be assessed by those whom we are primarily addressing - people in working life.

Chapter 2 deals with the differences in the basic preconditions in the various countries taking part in our study. One purpose is to review interesting features in the ways different countries, for example, organize workplaces and trade union work, and finance and organize activities not directly connected with work. In chapter 3 we discuss culture in working life from a practical standpoint. We illustrate this with actual experiences from places of work in the participating countries. Can the experiences of one country serve as an example for another? We believe they can. Chapter 4 contains our conclusions and proposals. We discuss how a new view of culture could transform working life, and how working fellowship and solidarity can become a starting point for cultural activity. In our opinion discussion at workplaces about what should be done must consider action to enable employees to:

• Change their working conditions and develop as human beings in their work.
• Develop their own identity as individuals and as members of a group which includes freedom of expression and the chance to make use of it.
• Premises and other resources must be available even for such things as are not directly concerned with work.
• Raise their consciousness by using different means of expression and acquiring knowledge. This includes being able to make use of others' experiences and obtain support by collaborating with cultural workers, organizations, institutions, etc. (p. 10-11).

CONTENTS
Foreword.
A brief summary of the report.
Our approach.
How we use the concept of culture.
Work as a cultural act.
Culture in the sense of a common pattern of life.
Culture in the sense of artistic activity and other forms of creative and investigatory activity.
Our view of culture and working life.
Different social structures - different solutions.
Introduction.
The organization of working life.
Cultural policy and working life.
The trade union and culture.
Other organizations.
How is culture in working life to be paid for?
Actual experiences.
Planning the working environment, recreation facilities, etc.
Designing the working environment.
Planning and running premises for culture activities at and outside the workplace.
Music while you work.
Collective activities.
Trade union activity and studies.
Renewing trade union meetings and studies.
Clubs and amateur activities at workplaces.
Parties, trips, excursions, etc.
Staff newspapers.
Activities in connection with conflicts or crises.
Access to cultural media and contact with cultural workers at the workplace.
Books, records, art, equipment, etc at the workplace and being able to borrow them.
Sale of books, art, etc. at workplaces.
Exhibitions.
Appearances by cultural workers at workplaces.
Longer stays by cultural workers.
The workplace and life outside.
Our conclusions.
A more human working life.
The workplace - part of our cultural life.
The chief responsibility belongs to the workplace.
The workplace as a place of communication.
Opportunities for taking initiatives at the workplace.
Needed: Organization and financial resources.
Appendices:
     Work on the report.
     Addresses [contact list].
Bibliography.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: International