Cultural Diversity -- A Fundamental Value for the Government of Canada
OTTAWA, May 16, 2005 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women Liza Frulla today hosted a meeting with 65 ambassadors to explain Canada's position on and strengthen the international community's support for the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Diversity of Cultural Content and Artistic Expression."The strength of a strong Canadian identity is based on having the means to develop our own forms of cultural expression," said Minister Frulla. "I am deeply convinced that our culture -- that defines us and distinguishes us -- is worth protecting. Canada is determined to ensure that UNESCO adopts a convention that clearly affirms the right of countries to implement cultural policies that support the diversity of cultural expression."
The Minister's meeting with the ambassadors is in keeping with the federal government's efforts to better promote Canadian objectives in this area, on the eve of the resumption of negotiations at UNESCO. Through the Department of Canadian Heritage, Canada is playing a leading role with UNESCO in creating a convention that acknowledges the importance of cultural policies on the international stage. In this regard, the Government of Canada is working closely with the provinces and territories, and with civil society. It is also bolstering its support for its international partners to ensure that the Convention reflects Canadian priorities.
In recent months, the UNESCO member countries, including Canada, have been at work developing the text of the Convention. A new draft of the text was published recently, and will be discussed again during the third session of the intergovernmental meeting on the draft Convention -- to be held in Paris from May 25 to June 4, 2005 --. The text of the Convention is scheduled to be presented at UNESCO's next General Meeting in October 2005.
For more information on Canada's position on the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Diversity of Cultural Content and Artistic Expression, please visit www.canadianheritage.gc.ca
Information:
Jean-Philippe Côté
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women
(819) 997-7788
Myriam Brochu
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-9314
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