Cultural diversity is one of the emblems of the European Union and its 27 Member States. That is why, since 2000, the official motto of the EU has been “United in Diversity”. In turn, Panama has a great cultural richness.

Culture is crucial to strengthen relations beyond European borders, thus connecting people from Panama and Europe to share values, learn from each other and exchange views and experiences. The EU promotes different cultural activities throughout the year, in addition to implementing projects in Panama and offering opportunities globally.

On the other hand, addressing global challenges such as climate change, health, poverty eradication or the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires collective action, based on common values and multilateralism. Hence, the EU works closely with civil society organisations, the private sector, universities, the media, groups such as women and youth, etc.

The cultural relations and public diplomacy initiatives of the Delegation of the European Union in Panama constitute a long-term commitment to the country's citizens and potential partners, to build trust and mutual understanding and, in so doing, facilitate future cooperation to address common challenges and improve international relations.

Every 9 May, the Delegation of the European Union in Panama and its Member States mark Europe Day, recalling the historic Schuman Declaration that began what is now the European Union, through economic cooperation that would make a repetition of the wars of the 20th century inconceivable. Since then, the Union has delivered more than half a century of peace, stability and prosperity. What began as a purely economic union has grown into an organisation covering many different policy areas: from climate, environment and health to external relations and security, justice and migration.

On 11 and 12 May 2024, EUROPE Space (Spanish: Espacio EUROPA) focused on exploring green, digital and social issues, as well as highlighting diversity and cultural exchanges. Through a rich program of panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, films, language classes, virtual reality, multimedia Copernicus and more, EUROPE Space positioned itself as the meeting point for culture, technology, environment and social inclusion. More than 1,000 people learned about the cooperation between the European Union and Panama and the region, as well as the rich and diverse cultural heritage.

In 2023, the EU inaugurated in the Biomuseum a touring exhibition "Copernicus: a look from space on Europe and Panama". In 2021, different activities made up the Europe Month. 

The European Union offers Panama different opportunities to establish interpersonal ties. In the area of mobility of credits during the bachelor's degree, complete master's degrees or capacity building projects, there are scholarships from the Erasmus+ programe. At the research level, there are different modalities of the Horizon Europe programe. The different EU Member States also provide their own scholarships for study, volunteering or other types of exchange.

Other global programs of the European Union focus on specific groups, including professionals in the cultural sector through the Global Cultural Relations Programme, journalists through media visits to Brussels, or political and opinion leaders through the EU Visitors Programme. Moreover, the European Union regularly conducts political and technical dialogues on different topics, such as the EU-LAC Digital Alliance or within the framework of different cooperation projects.

With approximately 100,000 visitors each year, the Panama International Book Fair (FILP) is the country's largest cultural event. In 2022, the European Union was the Guest of Honour, featuring an emblematic stand inspired by nature and a successful and intense program of 56 cultural activities around the themes of European culture, youth and climate change. The FILP was also an excellent opportunity to inform the public about the EU itself and its projects in Panama.

The EU cultural program included book presentations by award-winning European authors, a European Poetry Gala, language flash classes, screening of the Ukrainian film 'My thoughts are silent', readings of traditional European tales, exhibitions, conferences and round tables on press freedom, biodiversity, climate change, 'What is the EU' and Erasmus+. The Solidarity Wall for Ukraine, which collected more than 1000 messages, and the Climate Mural, based on collective intelligence and creativity, were very well received by the participants.