Each of the Observatory’s missions is influenced by the European and International dimension:

The training programmes put in practice largely integrate this preoccupation linked to the evolution of cultural skills.

• The International element is strongly represented and runs through the training of 3rd cycle piloted by the Observatory of cultural policy (OCP) (Master training of local cultural executives) through the specific transfer organisations dedicated to the exploration of this problematic, leading to the intervention of professionals on the themes of cultural cooperation, artistic exchange and international culture as well as a study trip in the international cultural space (Budapest in 2003, Quebec en 2001, Berlin 1999, Naples in 1997, Lisbon in 1994, Prague in 1992, Milan in 1990 …..).
  
  
• A two-week course (10 weekdays) is offered by the OCP in the framework of the current training, for around twenty foreign nationals. Its objective is to inform and reflect on French cultural policies as well as to encourage the confrontation of the models and cultural paradigms of the participants. It gives the invited professionals the elements to analyse critically the French model of policy and administration, looking into the elaboration of public policy, the institutions and the different modes of administration of culture, globally then by artistic sector. It equally encourages all the possibilities of confrontation, comparison and appropriation of these tools for the integration in the professional practice of trainees.
  

The Observatory also has an international role marked by colloquium and seminars. North-South dialogue, Cultural policies in Europe, International comparison of methods of museum management, decentralised cooperation and artistic exchanges and international culture, culture and globalisation, are some of the themes of meetings for which the OCP is asked. Moreover it is involved in cultural workshops organised yearly by the cities of the Atlantic coast.

In terms of studies, research and publications, it is important to note that the OCP produces quality work on the regional, national or international dimension of cultural policies. Among the themes studied, we can mention cross border cultural cooperation, French speaking countries, International cultural exchanges of regional organisations, the place of cultural identities and of minorities in cultural policy.

• A European study project called “EUROCULT 21” on the theme of metropolitan cultural governance is currently in progress with Eurocities, network of European towns of more than 250 000 inhabitants. This project aims to study the role of culture in urban governance in Europe with a view to submitting propositions to the European commission which hopes to form a European Observatory of cultural policy.
  
  This project gathers together 12 countries represented by 25 cities and 8 universities or research centers. It aims to :
  • Promote discussion, identify challenges, exchange best practices and diffuse knowledge concerning the current role of culture in urban governance
  • Identify new research and funding needs on urban cultural policy in the years to come.
  • Formulate innovative cultural strategies in collaboration with other European cities and University centres.
  • Prepare a clear set of recommendations on cultural policy to the European institutions and Members States.
    A thematic network will work on developing new optimised cultural management tools as well as creating a long-lasting forum where cities can develop and exchange best practices, ideas on future plans, policies and scenarios.
    
    To know more : http://www.eurocult21.org
    
    
    
• Other studies undertaken by the Observatory on the international dimension of cultural policy:
  • The place of the French-speaking communities in international cultural relations of the organisations
  • The local communities towards a policy of international cultural exchanges?
  • Situation, content, perspectives of the cultural and artistic exchanges between France and Geneva.
    

Moreover, the international preoccupation is also strongly taken into account by the journal of the OCP, L’observatoire.

Finally, the OCP is equally involved in a certain number of European networks which it aids in their thinking and their projects or where it takes part under the title of operator. Thus, the Observatory is one of the co-founders of the European network of Cultural administrator training centres (ENCACT, Council of Europe, 1990). The OCP also collaborates with suburbs of Europe (headquarters in Strasbourg), with TransEuropeHalles, Les Rencontres, The conference of cities of the Atlantic coast and Eurocities.