Canada @ UNESCO

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is the primary United Nations system organization responsible for culture. Canada has been a member of this organization since its founding in 1946 and is one of over 170 countries who have a permanent mission representing their interests at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. Canada has played an active role within UNESCO over the past few years, having recently completed a term on the Executive Council.

Canadian participation in UNESCO is a partnership between the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, who are responsible for maintaining formal relations with this organization, the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, which is an arm's length consultative forum that advises the Canadian Government on its relations with UNESCO and coordinates its activities in Canada, and key departments related to the mandate of the organization.

Canadian Heritage and the portfolio agencies are involved in a broad series of activities within UNESCO that relate to our mandate on international priorities. The Department worked closely with UNESCO Secretariat and key bilateral partners such as France, in the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity at the last General Conference of UNESCO in 2001. The Department of Canadian Heritage is looking forward to, and will in collaboration with UNESCO, advance the action plan on cultural diversity which accompanied the adoption of the Universal Declaration.

Canadian Heritage and its portfolio agencies have also been involved in the elaboration of a Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. In summer 2002, representatives of the Department and Portfolio discussed with partners from the Caribbean and the Americas the processes of ratification and implementation of the convention and how it will lead to the safeguarding of the underwater cultural heritage of the hemisphere.

The Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Honourable Sheila Copps has played a leading role in advancing Canadian interests related to cultural policy and cultural diversity at various UNESCO Ministerial Round Tables and conferences which aim to advance international cooperation and understanding. At the Third UNESCO Round Table Meeting of Ministers of Culture on intangible cultural heritage, the Canadian delegation once again demonstrated its leadership in encouraging concrete international cooperation that will help countries preserve and promote their vibrant cultural diversity.

Canada is using its presence within the organization to further its overarching cultural policy objectives and provide policy expertise and support to Canada's overall engagement with UNESCO. We will continue to work within this organization and with many of our key partners in advancing cultural policy and cultural diversity with the United Nations system.