Round Tables

Theme 2

Summary of Comments

• The situation in which cultural diversity finds itself in developing countries is very different than the developed world. We are very conscious of the gap that has been created between these two groups of countries.
  - David Streiff, Switzerland
  
  
• The new international instrument on cultural diversity offers us a chance to do some thinking on the issue of cultural diversity. We have put a considerable effort into the intellectual work on the instrument, however to be truly successful in supporting diversity of languages and cultures we must develop not just national action plans but international ones as well, the instrument would give us this opportunity.
  - Sheila Copps, Canada
  
  
• There is a large difference between the terms of cultural nationalism and cultural chauvinism. Cultural chauvinism depresses cultural minorities and local cultures. Cultural nationalism can be interpreted both as the state building its identity or something negative and hostile like cultural chauvinism. That is why the first thing the international instrument should do is clearly differentiate between cultural nationalism and cultural chauvinism.
  - Yuriy Serheiev, Ukraine
  
  
• We should recognize that the INCP has enabled countries to work together at a bilateral level but it has also strengthened those of us who really believe that cultural diversity should be recognized and that the uniqueness of each country should not be overwhelmed by global trends.
  Rather than spending effort fending off globalization we need to strengthen cultural diversity at the local level. Countries that share the same objective can use the INCP to add substance to the issues identified by the Working Group.
  - Brdigett Sylvia, Mabandla, South Africa
  
  
• Globalization presents numerous threats to the maintenance of cultural diversity. However it cannot be forgotten that it has positive elements for cultural diversity as well. In promoting cultural diversity and local identities we do not want to go too far in the opposite direction toward cultural isolation. Thus we are in a very complex situation where globalization and cultural diversity are facing one another and we cannot choose one over the other. It is up to states and the public to re-establish a more equal relationship between these two elements. Presently it seems that more effort should be expended to protect cultural diversity as globalization seems to defend its self very well, sometimes too well.
  - Catherine Tasca, France
  
  
• We have to do things on the national level to preserve cultural diversity and establish a powerful national cultural policy. We also have to achieve these goals in different regional contexts and in bilateral and multilateral contexts as well. We can never accept the development of global cultural industry at the expense of cultural diversity and identity. The most powerful threats to cultural diversity, the most powerful threats to small languages, to pluralism and perhaps even to some extent democracy, at least the diversity we connect to democracy, are global media conglomerates.
  One method to combat the negative effects of globalization is through a flourishing local cultural life. It is important to do this with NGOs, with artists, with individuals and also with politicians.
  - Marita Ulvskog, Sweden
  
  
• We cannot oppose globalization and it is even something that can be considered very positive.
  Today we cannot talk about promoting and defending cultural diversity if we do not provide communities with modern communication tools.
  - Mamadou Diop, Senegal
  
  
• Cultural goods and services cannot be treated as ordinary trade objects and we must ensure that due consideration is given to the particular qualities and vulnerability of cultural products. We must not accept that measures to protect culture are reduced to obstacles to trade. At the same time, we must see that such measures do not hamper cross border cultural exchange.
  We also need national and international focus on smaller cultural linguistic groups and to make sure we can maintain and where possible expand the use of measures that protect the production and distribution of programs or films that reflect such cultures and languages. Due to the small size of many language communities, many need to be protected by legal instruments as well as extensive public support.
  - Ellen Horn, Norway
  
  
• A new international instrument should allow the recognition on the international level of the rights of states and governments to maintain their language and their culture both inside their nation as well as when it is transmitted outside of its borders.
  - Agnes Maltais, Québec, Canada
  
  

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