Canada and France Join Forces to Ensure the Promotion of Cultural Pluralism
OTTAWA and PARIS, November 10, 1998 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps and the Minister of Culture and Communication for France, Catherine Trautmann, met in Paris on November 10 and have decided to join forces to ensure the promotion of cultural pluralism.France will join the International Network of Ministers of Culture formed following the International Meeting on Cultural Policy held in Ottawa June 29 and 30, 1998. The Network is committed to promoting the importance of cultural diversity in the face of technological, economic and social changes.
"I am pleased that France will be actively participating in our global efforts to promote cultural diversity and ensure that culture is placed at the forefront of the international agenda," stated Ms. Copps. "France is an international cultural leader and an ally for Canada on numerous issues."
France has also expressed an interest in participating in the "contact group" established in order to coordinate the activities of the Network, and which currently consists of participants from Sweden, Mexico, Greece, Morocco, South Africa and Canada. Canada is providing the interim secretariat for the Network.
Canada and France share the same concerns with regards to the protection and promotion of cultural diversity, as well as the same belief in the need to have a dynamic and active cultural policy.
The two ministers are working to raise global awareness of the need to be more vigilant in order to preserve cultural pluralism.
"In its decision to withdraw from the negotiations on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment, France has shown its determination to preserve cultural pluralism," stated Minister Trautmann. "I take pride in all initiatives which will be undertaken in order to promote this objective as widely as possible."
Information:
Catherine Gagnaire
Communications Assistant
Office of the Minister
of Canadian Heritage
(819)997-7788
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