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<html> <head> <meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8"> <title>MR. GRAHAM - ADDRESS TO THE PLENARY OF THE 32ND SESSION OF THE UNESCO GENERAL CONFERENCE - PARIS, FRANCE</title> </head> <body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0"> CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY NOTES FOR AN ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE BILL GRAHAM, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, TO THE PLENARY OF THE 32ND SESSION OF THE UNESCO GENERAL CONFERENCE PARIS, France October 2, 2003 It is a great pleasure for me to be here with you for this important conference. I was in New York last week, taking part in the debates of the General Assembly. It was obvious that multilateral cooperation needs to be exercised in a more consensual, rapid and efficient manner, if we want to have a real impact on serious international problems. It is with this in mind that I speak to you here today, to reinforce the role of UNESCO in its areas of jurisdiction. In this regard, I would like to congratulate the Director-General on his leadership in reforming the Organization. Canada is also pleased to see the return of the United States to UNESCO's large family, which we see as a sign of confidence in multilateralism. For Canada, the theme of cultural diversity is a primary focus of attention. To begin with, I would like to pay tribute to Javier Pérez de Cuéllar for his contribution to the Report of the World Commssion on Culture and Development. This report, entitled Our Creative Diversity, has been at the root of several initiatives to give culture its rightful place in the concept of sustainable development. One of these initiatives was the adoption here, two years ago, of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity. This is a sign that the inextricable ties between culture--the free expression of a nation--and democracy are increasingly recognized. Cultural exchanges have the power to change attitudes and foster mutual respect, which contributes to building a more peaceful world and promoting sustainable development, on which the future of our global society depends. In short, we believe that openness to other cultures leads to respect for other cultures. In this era of globalization, intercultural understanding is more important than ever. UNESCO has understood this and is putting forward numerous initiatives to promote dialogue among cultures and civilizations. Canada is pleased that the Director-General and the Executive Board have recommended that the General Conference agree to develop an international convention to regulate the issue of cultural diversity in terms of the protection of cultural content and artistic expression. Cultural expression is essential in both promoting the social cohesion of a nation and enabling its citizens to define their own values. A country projects itself on the international scene through its artists; it gains influence through its culture, the expression of its ideas and the example it sets. This is central to the definition of the Canadian experience, and that is why we consider this proposed convention so important. This concerted effort in the defence of cultural diversity has enjoyed a wide-ranging consensus within Canadian society, as indicated by the role played by the Government of Quebec in this regard. It should be stressed that, for us, cultural diversity means openness to various influences and cultural products, while enabling each country to give voice to its own cultural expression. In short, it calls for a balance between access to local cultural content and openness to other cultures. That is a fundamental principle of cultural diversity. The Convention on Cultural Diversity would set out clear rules that would enable countries to maintain policies aimed at promoting their culture, while respecting the rules governing the global trading system. The Convention would also recognize the importance of cultural diversity in world social and economic development. Canada believes that UNESCO is well equipped to draft a convention that, we hope, will be ready for adoption at the next session of the General Conference in 2005. The UN Millennium Declaration rightly assigns a key role to education in the struggle to eradicate poverty. To this end, Canada is committed to doubling its investments in basic education in Africa to $100 million per year, as of 2005. This effort will benefit African countries determined to apply the standards of the New Partnership for Africa's Development. Canada fully supports the efforts of the Education for All movement, which has been coordinated by UNESCO since the Dakar summit. The UNESCO Institute for Statistics, established in Montreal two years ago, has already made a major contribution to this work. Canada is very pleased to note that this General Conference will consider a recommendation to pursue an international convention to counter doping in sport. We believe that creating a fair, ethical environment is key to the advancement of sport, taking into account the World Anti-Doping Code. Canada also welcomes the work undertaken in areas such as intangible cultural heritage and genetic data. Canadian participation in UNESCO brings together many partners who share a common commitment to the mandate and the work of the Organization. Our provincial and territorial governments have responsibilities for a number of activities, notably in education and in culture. I would therefore like to signal the presence in our delegation of Advanced Education and Training Minister Diane McGifford of Manitoba and of Quebec Minister of Culture and Communication Line Beauchamp, who will participate in the work of the education and culture commissions, respectively. We also have a number of Canadian parliamentarians with us today. Among other important partners, we are pleased to count our very dynamic national Commission for UNESCO and the active representatives of civil society and youth. Thank you. </body> </html>

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