Round Tables

Theme 3

Summary of Comments

• What strategy do governments need to reinforce cultural diversity? We believe in the need for a wide concept which does not limit itself to the relationship between the population and the State. Citizens must appreciate social and cultural rights. Instead of finding fulfilment solely in the market, they should discover it in a public space where we can share our heterogeneity, our common experiences and overcome prejudices. Cultural industries are crucial to the planning and creation of such a public space.
  - Maria Emilia Rocha Mello de Azevedo, Brazil
  
  
• It is necessary to provide the arts with opportunities to promote themselves. By unifying communications and culture under a single ministry, culture has access to public radio, newspapers and public television stations. INCP countries should also share their experiences with regards to legislation related to culture.
  - Mamadou Diop, Senegal
  
  
• If we take the collective experiences of the different countries, there may be a roadmap we can exercise. That may be something that would be worth exploring in terms of a longer work plan for the INCP. It is fine to say that we cannot deal with issues such as international media integration, but if we don't deal with them they are going to be addressed by someone else who does not really care whether your stories are told or not.
  - Sheila Copps, Canada
  
  
• One of the most important aspects that has been touched upon, and it is expressed in one of the key issues on the agenda, is that national governments support cultural diversity and peaceful coexistence amongst people, yet who is there to ensure peaceful coexistence among nations?
  - Armen Petrosyan, Armenia
  
  
• South Africa is seeking to exploit technology for the purpose of advancing its cultural industries. In addition, new communications technologies offer new opportunities for new small and medium businesses as well as cultural industries.
  However, certain new technologies pose a threat to our cultural policies, which seek to promote tolerance amongst various beliefs, cultural practices and religions. The Internet for example can be used for spreading prejudice. The challenges then for governments is to prevent the dissemination of this material without infringing upon people's freedom of expression.
  - Bridgett Sylvia Mabandla, South Africa
  
  
• In the opinion of some people, globalization tends to mean that the economy prevails over politics, diminishing the role and power of the state, including with respect to setting cultural policies. The global market needs regulation, not deregulation. If the global marketplace continues to increase in power it will lead to further imbalances and injustices between those that are included and those that are excluded from new technologies and development.
  - Vincenzo Maria Vita, Italy
  
  

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