Minister Copps Applauds UNESCO Decision to Proceed with the Development of a Convention on Cultural Diversity
PARIS (FRANCE), October 14, 2003 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today announced that an important step has been taken towards the development of a convention on cultural diversity at UNESCO. Minister Copps applauded UNESCO's decision to proceed with the development of the convention."This is a milestone in ensuring effective standard-setting for the promotion of equitable cultural exchange, and will help preserve common human heritage and foster development, peace, and democracy," said Minister Copps. "Canada has worked hard to promote a convention that will cover diversity of cultural expression and cultural content and, together with its partners, is committed to building on past achievements."
On October 13 she addressed the UNESCO Commission IV (on culture), speaking in favour of drafting an international standard-setting convention on cultural diversity. In promoting the convention's development, Minister Copps also held several bilaterals, and met with French Culture Minister Jean-Jacques Aillagon. Earlier in the General Conference Plenary, Canada was elected to the UNESCO Executive Council, a position which will permit it to work to ensure that the goals of the convention are realized and that it adheres to other international obligations and agreements.
The issue of developing an international convention on cultural diversity was added to the conference agenda at the urging of Canada and several other member governments of the International Network on Cultural Policy (INCP) and La Francophonie. An international convention will set out clear ground rules to enable countries to promote cultural diversity. At the Conference, member states were asked whether UNESCO should take on the role of preparing a draft of the convention for presentation to the General Conference in 2005, and the resulting agreement was to proceed.
The UNESCO decision is also expected to figure prominently throughout discussions at the INCP meeting to be held in Opatija, Croatia from October 17 to 19. While there, Minister Copps will participate in the 6th annual meeting of the INCP and meet with Canadian non-governmental organizations, participate in a series of plenary discussions, as well as discussions of the working group on cultural diversity and globalization to be chaired by Canada. Canada has played a leadership role in promoting dialogue on cultural diversity, and the INCP was founded in Ottawa in 1998, at Minister Copps' initiative.
The governments of Canada and Quebec have been committed to the development of an international convention on cultural diversity since 1999. Since that time, the initiative has attracted the support of an increasing number of countries and strong collaboration with cultural sector partners, which have been instrumental in putting diversity on the agendas of governments around the world.
Information:
Sonya-Kim St-Julien
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
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