Round Tables

Theme 3

Synthesis

The Liaison Bureau began this session by presenting a brief summary of the results of a survey conducted amongst INCP member countries. The survey identified several major challenges and opportunities faced by governments in the formation of their cultural policies. The survey also articulated cultural policy objectives which included the development of a shared level of identity, social cohesion and encouragement of cultural expression.

The idea of sharing experiences amongst INCP member states was expressed by numerous ministers and it was agreed that INCP members should attempt to share best practices in the cultural policy field with one another. Senegal's Mamadou Diop was particularly interested in gaining insight from other INCP members in the area of cultural legislation. Minister Copps of Canada suggested that there is a roadmap of common experiences to be shared amongst INCP members that could allow the INCP to develop a long term mandate and address larger issues.

The impact of new technologies on culture, specifically communications technology, was raised by several ministers. Minister Diop mentioned the importance of connecting culture with communications to offer opportunities for the distribution of culture to a wide audience. South Africa's Birdgett Sylvia Mabandla told ministers of the exciting opportunities that she sees offered by technology for cultural industries and new businesses. However she tempered her remarks by stating that communications technologies, particularly the Internet, can also pose a challenge for governments to formulate policy that does not infringe upon citizens' freedom of expression.

Armenia's Armen Petrosyan acknowledged that it is the role of national governments to assure cultural diversity and peaceful coexistence within their respective nations, however he expanded his thinking beyond INCP members' national borders by asking who is responsible for assuring cultural diversity and peaceful coexistence amongst nations?

The Brazilian deputy minister of culture, Maria Emilia Rocha Mello de Azevedo, expressed the need for the creation of a public space created by cultural industries where people can explore their common experiences and overcome prejudice.

Last, Italian under secretary of state Vincenzo Maria Vita, suggested that the global marketplace needs further regulations and rules to protect against an increase in the current injustice and imbalances that exist between those that have access to modern technology and those that do not. Under secretary of state Vita's comments touched upon an idea expressed during earlier discussions regarding the difference in cultural resources between developed and developing nations and the need to recognize these differences when considering cultural diversity.

Discussions around the final theme generated a strong feeling for the need to exchange ideas and practices related to culture amongst INCP member countries. The issue of technology and how it impacts national policies related to culture was also expressed by numerous ministers present.

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