International Multilateral Relations
International Multilateral Relations
The Multilateral Relations Unit within the International Relations and Policy
Development Directorate of the Department of Canadian Heritage, works to shape
the international agenda on cultural policy in general and cultural diversity
in particular. The unit, in partnership with other branches and agencies within
the Canadian Heritage portfolio, is active within a range of international organizations
in order to influence and support policy discussions, resolutions and action
plans that support Canada's overall cultural policy objectives. The
Department of Canadian Heritage contributes to advancing Canada's
overall foreign policy agenda at numerous multilateral venues and shares
our Canadian diversity model through exchange of expertise on a range of
policy issues including broadcasting, human rights, heritage, and official languages.
Effective multilateral relations are historically an important part of Canada's
foreign policy relations. As a medium sized country, Canada is privileged to
be a member of key international organizations such as the Commonwealth, APEC,
La Francophonie, UNESCO, the Organization of American States, the G-8 and many
others. This broad based international presence allows Canada to effectively
engage the international community and play a central role in shaping the overall
international agenda. With increasing global attention being paid to cultural
issues and their relationship to economic prosperity, sustainable development
and security, Canadian Heritage's support and participation in the deliberations
of many international organizations contributes directly to an increased international
understanding of Canada's objectives.
Canadian Heritage through the Multilateral Relations Unit works with the United
Nations system and with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) in particular. Canadian Heritage also has a particular
focus on advancing cultural policy and cultural diversity within the hemisphere.
Through the Summit of the Americas process and the Organization of American
States, Canadian Heritage has helped respond to the Government's priority
of engaging the Americas and has helped influence the agenda of hemisphere-wide
cultural cooperation. Other key partnerships include the Council of Europe,
and the Commonwealth where Canada is working to promote effective exchange on
cultural policy. The following descriptions are an illustration of some of the
work being advanced within key multilateral fora.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
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 our 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 Heritage and the portfolio agencies are involved in a broad series
of activities within UNESCO that relate to our mandate 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. Canadian Heritage and its
portfolio agencies have also been involved in the elaboration of a Convention
on the preservation of underwater cultural heritage. The Minister of Canadian
Heritage has also 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.
Canada is also working with UNESCO in shaping international policy discussions
on the preservation of intangible cultural heritage. Canada, and the Canadian
Heritage portfolio, is using its presence within the organization to further
its overarching cultural policy objectives and provide policy depth and support
to Canada's overall engagement with this organization.
Organization of American States (OAS)
The Organization of American States (OAS), as the primary multilateral organization
in the Americas is a key forum for discussions related to cultural policy and
cultural diversity. At the Third Summit of the Americas, held in Quebec City
in April 2001, Leaders of the Hemisphere agreed to a plan of action, which included
a chapter on cultural diversity and called on the OAS to act as the primary
body responsible for its implementation.
The Department of Canadian Heritage is playing a leading role in the implementation
of the Summit of the Americas Plan of Action on cultural diversity. The Department
hosted the first inter-American experts seminar on cultural diversity in Vancouver
in March of 2002. This seminar contributed directly to the themes and issues
addressed during the first Ministerial meeting on cultural diversity, held in
Cartagena, Colombia in July of 2002.
The declaration and plan of action of this meeting, and its call for the establishment
of a new inter-American Committee on Culture, serve as the basis of ongoing
Canadian Heritage engagement in the hemisphere.
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe,
founded in 1949, is the oldest pan-European Organization. The Council was originally
created to promote cooperation and to strengthen democracy, human rights and
the rule of law. Today, it serves primarily as a forum for examining a wide
range of social issues such as culture, education, sports, health, human rights,
and new technologies. Canada was granted Official Observer status in to the
Committee of Ministers in 1996, and to the Parliamentary Assembly in 1997. However,
the Department of Canadian Heritage has been active in the various Steering
Committees since the 1980s.
Canadian Heritage's present day focus is placed on the activities of
the four Steering
Committees of the Directorate General - Education, Culture and Heritage, Youth
and Sport (DGIV) and the Steering
Committee on Mass Media of the Directorate General - Human Rights (DGII).
). Within these committees, Canadian Heritage and its portfolio agencies advance
Canadian interests on a range of issues including cultural diversity, human
rights, freedom of the media, and sport among others. Canada worked very closely
with the Council in its preparation of a Declaration
on Cultural Diversity which helps advance understanding on European approaches
to this important Canadian priority.
Canadian Heritage is currently involved with the work of the CDCULT (Steering
Committee for Culture), which is charged with elaborating cultural policies
and standard setting texts related to culture. The committee is also responsible
for a Transversal
Study on Cultural Diversity, a project of the Council of Europe that compares
the diversity model experiences of various Council of Europe member countries
and Canada.
Participation in the deliberations of the Council of Europe have and will continue
to enable Canada to exchange with and learn from a range of important European
partners. The Department of Canadian Heritage and its portfolio will continue
to engage with the Council as a means of deepening our cooperation on a variety
of issues with partners from Western, Central and Eastern Europe.
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