International Strategic Framework

The International Strategic Framework (ISF) is an integrated, long-term approach to international activities and programs related to culture and sport. With this approach Canadian Heritage and its Portfolio partners identify common priorities, align resources, and achieve new synergies.  Through this initiative, Canadian Heritage can better focus on key strategic areas where it plays an important international role and contributes to furthering Canada's international trade and foreign policy priorities.

The four main objectives of the ISF are to:

  • Showcase Canadian excellence in arts and sport;
  • Expand market opportunities for Canadian culture;
  • Encourage diversity of cultural expression; and
  • Foster exchange of best practices on social inclusion and civic participation.

Canadian Heritage and Portfolio partners work closely with other federal departments and agencies active in the international sphere of arts, culture, social inclusion, and sport, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT), the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), to achieve these objectives.

International Strategic Framework 3 Main Priorities:

International cultural promotion and cultural trade development: Global exposure and exchange are vital elements for artistic growth and success in cultural trade. Canadian Heritage, together with its Portfolio and Government of Canada partners, is working to increase the coherence of its international cultural promotion and trade in efforts to strengthen support for Canadian artists and cultural industries abroad.

Participation and social inclusion: Growing global migration and increasing ethno cultural diversity in numerous regions throughout the world requires a greater level of international exchange of best practices to promote social inclusion and participation of citizens in democratic life. Foreign governments invite Canadian Heritage to share its expertise in the areas of citizen participation, shared citizenship and identity, particularly in relation to multiculturalism, official languages and preservation and promotion of Aboriginal languages and culture. Canadian Heritage is also actively engaged in multilateral and bilateral exchanges to enhance its national capacity to strengthen intercultural dialogue among Canada's diverse communities and reduce barriers to participation in all aspects of Canadian life. To this end, the Department, in collaboration with DFAIT, CIC and CIDA, focuses its attention on global and national issues related to minority inclusion and the participation of youth.

Cultural and Sport Relations with China: Canadian Heritage along with its Portfolio and Government of Canada partners have developed an integrated approach which seeks to increase the visibility of Canadian culture and cultural industries in China. This approach will, among other things, better present Canadian diversity, innovation and excellence at major events including the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2010 Shanghai World Exposition and the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic and Paralympic games. This approach will also promote Canada as dynamic and diverse destination on the cultural scene and facilitate cultural dialogue and mutual understanding among diverse communities in Canada and China.

To obtain more information regarding the Department of Canadian Heritage cultural activities in China: 2008-10 Canadian Heritage Cultural Activities in China.