News Release
Canada to Host First World Summit of Arts and Cultural Institutions
OAXACA, MEXICO, September 20, 1999 - - During the 2nd meeting of
the International Network on Cultural Policy, Minister of Canadian
Heritage Sheila Copps today announced Canada's intention to host
a World Summit on Arts and Cultural Institutions in December 2000.
The Canada Council for the Arts will organize the Summit in partnership
with other portfolio agencies and the Department of Canadian Heritage.
"The objective of the Summit is to encourage cultural sector
actors to participate in the international discussions on cultural
diversity. It will enable a broadening of the scope of action already
initiated by Ministers of Culture in the context of the International
Network on Cultural Policy," stated Minister Copps. "It
is important to garner the support of all the proponents in the
cultural sector in order to explore the stakes and the opportunities
which cultural diversity offers at the eve of the third millennium."
The Summit will fulfill one of the policy objectives of the Stockholm
Action Plan adopted at the 1998 UNESCO Intergovernmental Conference
on Cultural Policies for Development. The UNESCO Conference recommended
member states give priority to the creation of a network at the
international level involving administrators of cultural institutions.
This initiative is in addition to the many efforts deployed at the
international level by many players including UNESCO, the World
Bank, as well as the community of non governmental organizations
in order to promote a dialogue on culture.
The 2nd International Meeting on Cultural Policy in which Minister
Copps is participating is an international forum through which Culture
Ministers can exchange views and reach a consensus on issues related
to cultural diversity. During the meeting, Minister Copps urged
the attending Ministers to promote the World Summit to arts and
cultural administrators in their home-countries.
Information:
Catherine Gagnaire
Communications Assistant
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
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