ROUND TABLES

Theme 2 - Cultural Diversity and Globalization: Consideration of an International Instrument on Cultural Diversity

Synthesis

The discussions during this roundtable revolved around four main issues:

• the International Instrument on Cultural Diversity (IICD),
• the links between cultural diversity and universal principles of democracy and human rights,
• the guiding principles of the Network,
• general comments on the potential impact of globalization on developing countries.

Ministers discussed the nature and the role of an IICD. Araceli Morales of Colombia spoke of the inclusive nature of the instrument and its role in the promotion of intercultural dialogue and exchanges. Rafael Bernal Alemany of Cuba encouraged Ministers to take into consideration the needs of developing countries in order to ensure that they are represented in the instrument.

At an international level, the IICD encourages the promotion of universal values linked to cultural diversity such as tolerance and inclusiveness to enhance the quality of life of all citizens. Several Ministers spoke of the relationship between cultural diversity and notions of brotherhood, peace and human rights. Antun Vujic of Croatia noted that cultural diversity and human rights principles are closely intertwined. Amadou Tidiane Wone of Senegal agreed and described cultural diversity as a means to enlarge human brotherhood and to promote the equality of cultures. Denis Molchanov of Russia emphasized that the promotion of cultural diversity conveys a universal message of peace.

At a national level, the IICD should encourage intercultural dialogue and exchanges while guaranteeing the right of states to protect their existing cultures. Ministers discussed this aspect of the IICD and agreed that national governments have an important role to play in the promotion and protection of cultural diversity. David Streiff of Switzerland spoke of the need for culture to be treated differently in trade. Francisco Weffort of Brazil agreed that culture should be exempt from trade rules in some cases when it is deemed beneficial. Michel Duffour of France felt that public
authorities in the field of culture should be involved in the development and mplementation of an IICD as a legitimate tool to promote and protect cultural diversity. Sheila Copps of Canada urged states to develop cultural policy tools and policies to promote cultural diversity at the national level. Ministers renewed the Working Group on Cultural Diversity and Globalization’s mandate to continue exploring these issues and develop the draft of an IICD as a legally binding instrument for the next Annual Ministerial Meeting in 2003.

Ministers also discussed where an IICD should be housed.Among others, the INCP was considered as an option because of its work on the IICD. Ellen Horn of Norway noted that the Network is a forum for the exchange of information and communication that could serve as a driving force behind the ongoing work on cultural diversity.Paule Iappini of France reiterated the important and legitimate role of the Network as a place for Ministers of culture to exchange information. Marita Ulvskog of Sweden also felt that Network’s informal and ministerial nature were its strength.This statement was echoed by Brigitte Mabandla of South Africa who elaborated on the Ministers direct ability to move the thinking forward and cooperate on emerging cultural policy issues of interest to the Network. She encouraged developing countries to increase their participation in the INCP. Antonio Rudder of Barbados ended the discussion on this issue by stating that the Network’s strength lies with its ability to be a catalyst in terms of concretizing opinions. Ministers concluded that further research should be pursued on this issue and gave Switzerland the mandate to lead a Special Policy Research Team on Governance Issues to explore options of where an instrument could be housed and report back to the Working Group on Cultural Diversity and Globalization.

Ministers also discussed the impact of globalization on cultural diversity and strategies to overcome these challenges. Luis Armando Soto of Colombia suggested that to counter the negative effects of globalization, national governments should attempt to revive and strengthen their cultural industries. Brigitte Mabandla of South Africa spoke of developing countries’ ill-preparedness to deal with the challenges facing the cultural sector. She encouraged developing countries to protect and nurture their cultural resources so that they achieve to their full potential.
She also urged developing countries to develop their cultural infrastructure and capacity to tap into undeveloped cultural assets. Ali Amahan of Morocco spoke of the strong linkages between cultural diversity and economic development and encouraged Ministers to include cultural diversity in their development strategies.

The Ministers agreed that the IICD should promote universal values linked to cultural diversity such as tolerance and inclusiveness and reflect the needs of developing countries. Ministers also mandated the Working Group on Cultural Diversity to develop a legally binding draft instrument and the Special Policy Research Team on Governance Issues to analyze options and prepare recommendations on where the IICD should be housed.

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