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Seeing Ourselves Through the Eyes of Others

The second half of the 20^th century was marked by the introduction of television, satellite communications and the Internet. These technologies have changed our relationship to the world and the way in which we perceive the arts, culture, work and communications. International cultural and commercial exchanges have intensified and accelerated in recent years, so that the world has become a kind of “global village.” Canada believes that even with our many differences, the citizens of this global village share a lot of common ground. Each country’s unique heritage is enriched through its openness to that of other countries. In this context, respect for diversity is becoming a priority for more and more countries around the world, and Canada favours it within and beyond its own borders.

The Government of Canada has been actively pursuing the development of an international agreement that will recognize the unique character of cultural goods and services, and reaffirm the right of governments to enact policies in support of the diversity of cultural expression. In this regard, Canada is pleased that a draft Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression––negotiated multilaterally within UNESCO––meets these fundamental objectives. This Convention will be an important tool, allowing each country to transmit its own stories and history to its citizens and the rest of the world.

Creation draws on the roots of cultural tradition, but flourishes in contact with other cultures. For this reason, heritage in all its forms must be preserved, enhanced, and handed on to future generations as a record of human experience and aspirations, so as to foster creativity in all its diversity and to inspire genuine dialogue among cultures. (UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, Article 7.)

As an officially bilingual country, Canada is also a very active member of both the Francophonie and the Commonwealth. In addition, Canada is a major player in the multilateral French-language channel TV5. This initiative for promoting cultural diversity provides an international showcase for the achievements of Canadian producers and artists, and offers the Canadian public an additional French-language channel where all parts of the French-speaking world are on view.

In the international arena, Canada has signed a large number of major international conventions, agreements and protocols in the areas of culture and sport. It also played a dynamic role in the development of the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, which was adopted and proclaimed by UNESCO in November 2001.

Diversity, human rights and democracy are values at the very core of Canadian identity. We believe that the Canadian experience and the lessons we can learn from it provide added value to current discussions on cultural diversity. This experience is shared at international forums where the international community focuses on the concepts of shared citizenship and social cohesion.

Canadians have long been convinced that support for the arts and culture is essential to the expression of a country’s identity, and that arts and culture directly influence social development.

Canada’s approach to diversity is based on the belief that the common good is best served when everyone is accepted and respected for who they are. This faith in the value of diversity recognizes that respect for social and cultural differences is necessary for promoting self-worth and identity. A society that treats everyone equally is one that encourages achievement, participation, harmony and a sense of belonging.

All societies must nourish the roots of their heritage if they are to truly flourish. Mindful of this, Canada has worked hard to develop a comprehensive approach to preserving and managing its cultural resources. From the Arctic Ocean to the Great Lakes, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, Canadians can visit museums, archives, libraries, and re-enactments of living history, giving them a strong sense of how Canada has evolved. All these activities are a reflection of Canada’s mosaic. It is this binding together of all our peoples in a rich tapestry that enables us to create a place for our cultural products on the world stage. Canada takes advantage of the opportunities presented by international expositions to showcase its cultural diversity to the rest of the world, such as during EXPO 2005 AICHI JAPAN, with the theme Nature’s Wisdom.

“If we do not now arrange to get to know one another better, to understand the rich variety of our differences and to rejoice in each other’s triumphs... we will never have a country. Mutual understanding of this kind has always been best carried on through the creative arts and letters, whether ‘live’ or as the ‘software’ of modern communications. A country which does not read, hear or watch its own artists is bent on severing its own lifeline.” Mavor Moore, Canadian playwright, actor and arts administrator

By also promoting the values of fairness and ethics in sport, Canada was asked to play an active role in managing and funding the World Anti-Doping Agency, and Canada played a leading role in developing and negotiating the UNESCO Convention on Anti-Doping in Sport.

Canada is also a major promoter of the role that sport can play as an international development tool, and has supported international projects to encourage women, youth and persons with disabilities to get involved in sport. In recognition of our leadership in this area, Canada was one of three countries invited to join the International Working Group on Sport for Development and Peace, created to help countries include sport in their policies and programs. In 2010, Canada will host the XXI Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia.