Fifth Annual Ministerial Meeting - Cape Town - Final Report
Table of Contents
Preface
Cultural diversity is important for community coherence. The
soil of culture
Is rich and complex. It is made of stories, narratives, images,
sense of place and of belonging and the power of creativity:
these are the resources of identity and cultural citizenship
on which
effective and sustainable development depends.
Minister Ben Ngubane, Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology,
South Africa
Following the 4th Annual Ministerial
Meeting of the International Network on Cultural Policy (INCP)
in Lucerne, Switzerland in 2001, South Africa assumed the responsibility
of Chair of the INCP for 2002. Throughout our participation as
a member of the network, we have recognised the unique potential
of the INCP to provide a platform for Arts and Culture Ministers
to address key issues as well as simultaneously influence the international
agenda on Arts and Culture. It was therefore a great honour for
us to host both the 5th Annual Ministerial Meeting of the INCP
in Cape Town from 14 - 16 October 2002, and the parallel NGO network,
the International Network on Cultural Diversity (INCD). The exchange
of views between the INCP and the INCD representatives was valuable
and served to further strengthen networks and collaboration between
North and South as well as South South dialoque.
Being the first time that the meeting was held in Africa, we seized
the opportunity to make the work of the INCP known to our neighbouring
countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Region, other countries on the continent and the rest of the developing
world. Our hard work paid off and it was most gratifying to welcome
for the first time to the Ministerial Meeting countries such as
China, Botswana, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. In keeping with our
participation in and contributing to the Working Group on Cultural
Diversity and Globalization, mandated by the Ministers at the Lucerne
meeting to investigate the drafting of an international instrument
on cultural diversity, South Africa chose as the theme for the
meeting: Cultural Diversity in developing countries - the challenges
of globalization. Our experts were commissioned to do thorough
research on the issue in the year leading up to the Ministerial
Meeting. In many respects, the findings were reflective of the
broad spectrum of the developing world. The discussions on this
theme, which are summarized in this report, proved to be most fruitful,
and led to the establishment of special research teams to take
some of the issues further towards the Croatia 2003 meeting. I
believe the perspective of the developing world was also able to
contribute significantly to the draft instrument on cultural diversity
through this theme as well as the processes and discussions among
developing countries leading up to the Cape Town Meeting. One of
the significant outcomes of the Cape Town Meeting, was the decision
by Ministers to place the draft instrument on cultural diversity
on UNESCO's agenda as a departure point for an international convention
on cultural diversity.
The Meeting took place against the backdrop of the beautiful Atlantic
Ocean and the majestic Table Mountain, but also against the backdrop
of teamwork and commitment from many people. I would like to thank
UNESCO, the International Labour Organization, Switzerland and
Canada for their generous contribution towards the meeting. This
enabled civil society from developing countries to participate
at the INCD meeting. The assistance of the INCP Liaison Bureau
was invaluable in the year preceding the Meeting, and I commend
them for their professionalism and sheer hard work.
The 5th Annual Ministerial Meeting of the INCP was indeed a landmark
event for South Africa, and I believe made a significant impact
on the development of the international instrument on cultural
diversity. As more and more of our colleagues from the developing
world are adding their voice and committing their time and resources
to the network, that significant place occupied by developing countries
in the INCP is beginning to contribute substance to matters of
international significance in the cultural sector.
I am proud that we could be one of the triggers to initiate the
mobilisation of the developing world within the INCP. It is with
anticipation that we look forward to the next meetings in Croatia
in 2003 and China in 2004, knowing that our collective passion
for the role of cultural diversity as the resource of identity,
cultural citizenship and sustainable development, will be championed
further.
My thanks to the dedicated team at my Department, the Ministry
of Arts and Culture, for their hard work and support, which enabled
this meeting to take place so successfully.
Minister B.S. Ngubane
Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology
South Africa
Back to Top Meeting Objectives The
International Network on Cultural Policy (INCP) brings national
Ministers responsible for culture together every year to exchange
views on world cultural policy issues. This year, the Fifth Annual
Ministerial Meeting of the INCP was held in Cape Town, South Africa
in October 2002. The meeting's main objectives was to advance the
dialogue and work started in Ottawa, Canada (June 1998), and continued
in Oaxaca, Mexico (September 1999), in Santorini, Greece (September
2000), and in Lucerne, Switzerland (September 2001), and to build
awareness around three main cultural policy issues:
-
Cultural Diversity in Developing Countries: the Challenges
of Globalization
To explore the needs and priorities of developing countries as
well as the status of their cultural sectors and infrastructure
and how these interact.
-
Cultural Diversity and Globalization: Draft Text on an International
Instrument including where it could be housed
To advance priority work begun in 2000 on an International
Instrument on Cultural Diversity by reviewing and discussing
the draft document
of the Instrument and debating where it could be housed.
-
Other Cultural Priorities: To
discuss a wide range of emerging cultural policy issues such
as cultural heritage, questions regarding the media,
the growing
importance of cultural observatories and the concept of "Interculturality".
Back to Top THEME 1: Cultural Diversity in Developing Countries: the Challenges
of globalization
As presented in the document submitted by South Africa for the
meeting, cultural diversity is a strategic resource for developing
countries. It has the potential to strengthen a country's cultural
industries by encouraging local artistic production, thus creating
local employment opportunities. Cultural diversity can also enrich
a country's national cultural heritage, develop national identity
and social cohesion as well as increase revenues from the tourism
industry. Developing countries are increasingly striving to expand
the role of their cultural sector in their development strategies
in order to fully benefit from the opportunities presented by globalization.
However, globalization can also have negative impacts on developing
countries abilities to achieve their cultural policy objectives.
For example, globalization sometimes tends to produce a cultural
homogenization effect contrary to principles of cultural diversity.
Therefore, the International Instrument on Cultural Diversity
would need to be mindful of the differential capacity of developing
countries to honour the Instrument's agreements whilst at the same
time encourage the development of a clearly articulated cultural
policy framework in these countries.
Back to Top THEME 2: Cultural Diversity and Globalization: Draft Text on an
International Instrument including where it could be housed
At the Fourth Annual Ministerial meeting, held in Lucerne in September
2001, the Working Group on Cultural Diversity and Globalization,
chaired by Canada, was given a two-year mandate to draft an International
Instrument on Cultural Diversity (IICD) that would focus on the
promotion and preservation of cultural diversity in the face of
globalization. The Working Group, through the Special Policy Research
Team (SPRT), led by Switzerland, was also mandated to undertake
a study that would examine governance issues relating to an Instrument,
including location and institutional context, dispute settlement
and monitoring mechanisms and strategic implementation advice.
Having completed the first year of its mandate, the Working Group
presented three documents to Ministers at the Fifth Annual Meeting
of the INCP in Cape Town.
The report for Ministerial consideration is an introductory piece
which gives the background and context for the IICD. The draft
document begins with an explanation of the purpose of each section
of the actual Instrument text, which follows it. The draft Instrument
is presented as a work in progress by the Working Group on Cultural
Diversity and Globalization. Its purpose is to provide a framework
for all States that consider the preservation of distinct cultural
expressions and cultural diversity an essential component of globalization.
The Instrument gives special consideration to the needs of developing
countries including the need to develop a capacity for cultural
expression.
The purpose of the Strategic Options paper is to highlight the
short, medium and long-term policy issues associated with IICD
governance. All the issues examined here relate to where the IICD
will eventually be housed.
Back to Top THEME 3: Other Cultural Priorities
The third theme encompassed many different issues in the field
of cultural policy.
A. Tangible and Intangible Heritage
First, the Working Group on Cultural Heritage, chaired by Mexico,
surveyed the existing laws and programs of five countries for the
preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in order to identify
the most effective tools, instruments and methodologies in this
field. Mexico also looked at the increase in cultural tourism and
the role of this industry in a country's socio-economic development
The Working Group on Cultural Heritage, chaired by Mexico, was
first on the agenda because of its importance to other themes.
Presenting its research, mostly based on their own experiences
in managing intangible and tangible cultural heritage, Mexico insisted
upon the fact that, in the years to come, this will be a fundamental
issue in the field of cultural policy. However, the report did
draw on the experiences of Canada, the Philippines, South Africa
and Switzerland as well. Information was tabulated through a virtual
meeting held on the INCP's website Agora in 2002 that provided
a general understanding of the different institutions responsible
for the cultural heritage of the mentioned countries.
The Mexican report also provided Ministers with a definition of
intangible heritage; a concept that has unfortunately been somewhat
ignored by international organizations. The report stated that
in Mexico, intangible heritage could potentially play a significant
socio-economic role were it not for the lack of recognition of
the phenomenon by the government
B. Cultural Diversity and Concentration in Media
The Special Policy Research Team on Media Issues, chaired by Sweden,
looked at the increasing concentration in media ownership and the
threat it poses to cultural diversity. The important economic and
socio-cultural role of the media brings us to examine the issues
surrounding this phenomenon and to consider ways of preventing
a concentration of media sources and cultural products. Policies
for the effective management of this issue and strategies to ensure
a diversity of choices in this field were the focal point of the
second part of this session.
C. Interculturality and Cultural Observatories
Finally, Ministers were invited to ponder new and emerging trends
in the field of cultural policy. The creation of cultural observatories
and the increasing reference to the concept of interculturality
in cultural fora are two trends that merit the INCP's attention.
On the one hand, cultural observatories monitor, gather and disseminate
information to the cultural sector to create links and facilitate
communication between different players in the cultural milieu.
Interculturality, on the other hand, refers to the interaction
and communication between cultures as well as the increasing mutual
respect of cultural differences. These trends point to the importance
of exchanges among cultures, between cultures and within the cultural
sector as a whole.
Back to Top Round Tables
Theme 1:Cultural Diversity in Developing Countries: the Challenges
of Globalization
Synthesis:
The meeting focused on the cultural diversity issues facing developing
countries. The paper Cultural Diversity in Developing Countries:
the Challenges of Globalization, prepared by South Africa and presented
by Steven Sack, introduced the theme for discussion by the ministers.
This paper highlights the cultural development priorities of countries
in the South, indicates the status of their cultural sectors and
the importance of cultural development policies. It also addresses
the methods available to governments and the assistance they can
provide to support long-term objectives relating to cultural policies.
The study also outlines the links between cultural policies, sustainable
development and the work of the International Network on Cultural
Policies (INCP) on the development of an international instrument
on cultural diversity (IICD). In this regard, it analyzes the implications
of the IICD for developing countries and makes recommendations
regarding its form and content.
This paper states that the instrument should, among other things:
1) help developing countries achieve their objectives relating
to their development priorities and their cultural policies; 2)
provide a framework for financial and technical assistance and
a framework for cooperation between countries in the North and
the South, among countries in the South and among regions and countries
with cultural affinities; 3) reflect the inequalities between developed
countries and developing countries, without exacerbating their
differences; 4) encourage countries to develop measures fostering
their own culture; and 5) stress the importance of openness to
other cultures.
During the discussions, the ministers referred to the excellent
paper prepared by South Africa. They focused initially on the challenges
facing developing countries. A number of them pointed to the inequalities
between countries in the North and South, especially as regards
funding, technologies, cultural infrastructure and access to markets
and presentation networks for cultural products.
A number of people fear that this inequality fosters a type of
cultural invasion, reducing the strength and viability of local
and national cultures. They noted that developing countries and
some small countries are already consumers and not producers and
presenters of cultural products. This therefore calls for action
rather than a passive approach. In view of the varied and complex
challenges facing these countries, the ministers concluded that
these needs must be reflected in an IICD in order for these countries
to identify with it.
The ministers therefore stressed that promoting and preserving
cultural diversity within the IICD must be reciprocal, that is,
it must go both ways, from western countries to developing countries
and vice versa. Countries in the North and the South alike must
benefit from the instrument.
Moreover, Aerveas Soko Chigwedere, of Zimbabwe, noted that in
an era of globalization cultural diversity must be fostered both
within each country and among countries. In this regard, a number
of ministers spoke about cultural democratization, stating that
policies must be implemented to ensure that artists and their works
are presented throughout a country so that the nation's arts can
be seen and heard by all its citizens. This type of policy should
also include an international component in order to meet another
objective of cultural diversity. In order to foster cultural diversity
among nations, a number of ministers also advocated the development
of partnerships between countries in the North and the South, in
order to encourage cooperation initiatives. Finally, in spite of
the differences mentioned between developed and developing countries,
the ministers agreed that they are all facing the same battle:
that is, the battle against the homogenization and standardization
of culture, hence the need to adopt an IICD quickly.
Secondly, the ministers concluded that there is a direct link
between the cultural sector and economic and social development,
and that
the IICD should reflect this. To this end, further research is
required on the role of cultural policy in increasing cultural
investments. Project teams (Canada, Senegal, South Africa) will
prepare regional inventories of the financial and legal instruments
available nationally and internationally in support of intangible
culture and cultural industries. These inventories will foster
common approaches by INCP members to international funding and
development agencies. In this regard, the ministers stated that
international financial institutions such as the World Bank should
be made more aware of culture as a factor in economic development.
Finally, at a higher level, the ministers linked cultural diversity
to sustainable development and human rights. Education also
has a role to play in this regard. Finally, they maintained that
culture should not be confined to the past, that it is still
and must always
be kept alive, in both the North and the South.
Summary of comments:
We need to pursue issues related to developing countries in existing
multilateral organizations and find ways of take action on work
through existing organizations: UNESCO, NEPAD, etc.
Steven Sack, South Africa
The world is over flooded with strong impulses coming from the
dominant parts of the world, while small nations with equally
rich cultural values have to constantly make extra efforts to
be manifested in the world's cultural scene.
Gabor Görgev, Hungary
It is important that countries in transition be included in our
discussion on diversity issue.
Antun Vujic, Croatia
The discussion on cultural diversity must be present in our governments
and we must have a common policy.
David Streiff, Switzerland
Respect for cultural diversity is one of the essential elements
of sustainable development.
Valgerd Svarstad, Norway
Cultural Diversity is synonymous with innovation, creativity,
and social and sustainable development in all our countries. It
is the pledge of a better quality of life in our communities. It
is the source of what makes each of our markets unique and, by
the same token, competitive.
Sheila Copps, Canada
Back to Top
Theme 2: Cultural Diversity and Globalization: Draft Text on an
International Instrument including where it could be housed Synthesis:
At this roundtable discussion, the ministers reviewed the draft
International Instrument on Cultural Diversity (IICD), which makes
no reference to any institution or specific organization, as well
as the paper entitled Strategic Options for a New International
Instrument on Cultural Diversity, pertaining to policy issues involved
in the governance of an instrument. These documents were presented
by the chair of the Working Group on Cultural Diversity and Globalization,
Ms. Barbara Motzney of Canada.
The objective of the draft IICD is to provide a working framework
for all states that view the promotion and preservation of cultural
diversity as an essential factor in the face of globalization challenges.
The text also addresses the needs of developing countries and the
need for measures to foster cultural expression at the local, national
and international levels. The IICD should also have the force of
law to ensure that culture is recognized and treated as something
different from any other commodity.
The second paper, Strategic Options for a New International Instrument
on Cultural Diversity, sets forth the primary strategic issues
in the short, medium and long term as regards governance, including
the institutional context, dispute resolution, control mechanisms
and advice on strategic implementation. It also suggests various
places where the IICD could be accommodated, citing the pros and
cons of each option: the World Trade Organization (WTO), UNESCO
or an independent body duly created for this purpose.
At the plenary session, the ministers responded favourably to
these papers. They concluded that the instrument presented provides
an appropriate basis for supporting the development of a binding
agreement on the protection and promotion of cultural diversity.
They also determined that UNESCO would be the ideal place to accommodate
and implement the IICD. As Jean-Jacques Aillagon, of France, noted,
UNESCO has a very broad mandate and enjoys full political legitimacy
and full legal jurisdiction. It also has the technical experience
required to assume responsibility for, finalize and implement this
instrument.
The ministers continued their discussion and then turned to the
urgent need to act and adopt such an instrument as soon as possible.
As it is, new countries wishing to join the World Trade Organization
(WTO) are required to have carried out all possible cultural protection
measures.
The ministers accordingly agreed to begin discussions with UNESCO
and will develop an action plan to this end. They gave the Working
Group on Cultural Diversity and Globalization the task of beginning
discussions with UNESCO and developing with it a cooperation framework
in order to make progress on the instrument. At the request of
Baldwin Ben Ngubane of South Africa, a meeting between a group
of INCP representatives and the Director General of UNESCO will
also be scheduled in this regard.
The ministers also agreed to promote the project internationally.
In this regard, Amadou Tidiane Wone, of Senegal, suggested that
the idea of the IICD be presented in various forums, including
the next Francophonie Summit in Beirut, since this organization
is also interested in supporting this type of instrument.
In addition to promoting the IICD, other matters were also debated
at this session. The ministers stressed that the instrument must
be binding in order to give it the force of law, to ensure that
words are put into action and that the INCP members' concerns about
the IICD are clearly reflected. They also noted the importance
of allowing countries the flexibility to develop cultural policies
and measures to preserve and promote cultural diversity.
Finally, in order to ensure the support of as many states as possible,
David Streiff, of Switzerland, suggested that the IICD be drafted
in such a way that the ministers of finance and trade would also
subscribe to it. Once cultural diversity becomes a topic of discussion
within governments, it will be easier to be take a more forceful
approach in order to endorse the draft IICD, which will benefit
countries in the North and the South alike. The prospects for an
IICD look good at the moment, because the efforts of INCP members
have been successful up to this point. "Cultural Diversity
has become a recognized public policy objective", concluded
Valgerdt Svarstad of Norway.
Summary of comments:
This is urgent; any delay is risky.
Jean Jacques Aillagon, France
We must undertake to give presentations to and dialogue with the
international community, especially trade and foreign affairs representatives.
There is no one better than ourselves to convey our drive, the
better conditions we wish to create and what we hold dear!
Sara Guadalupe Bermudez, Mexico
UNESCO is the ideal place. Let us begin talks with UNESCO.
Sheila Copps, Canada
We are UNESCO.
Amadou Tidiane Wone, Senegal
UNESCO is our main international organization for cultural issues
and is the most appropriate body for handling the type of international
convention that we are discussing here.
Thomas Lindman, Sweden
This draft instrument is based on cultural arguments and not strictly
on commercial criteria.
Diane Lemieux, Quebec, Canada
We need to develop international and multilateral dimensions of
cultural policy to be able to discuss and safeguard the role and
capacity of cultural policy in all countries.
Kimmo Aulake, Finland
Back to Top
Theme 3: Other cultural priorities At this session, the ministers discussed the conclusions of the
Working Group on Heritage, chaired by Mexico, and those of the
Special Policy Research Team on Media Issues, chaired by Sweden.
They also discussed two new issues raised by the Liaison Bureau:
the creation of cultural observatories and the concept of interculturality.
A.Tangible and Intangible Heritage
Synthesis:
In this part, Mexican Minister Bermudez Ochoa presented the conclusions
and recommendations set out in the comparative analysis of the
various ways that cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible,
can promote the economic and social development of nations. Four
themes were discussed: 1) the management and administration of
cultural heritage; 2) the role of social actors (government, civil
society, international organizations); 3) tourism as a factor in
the development and evolution of heritage; and 4) the legislative
and methodological aspects of the identification, registration,
protection, conservation, presentation and promotion of intangible
cultural heritage.
The report illustrates the national differences among countries
on the issue of conservation and preservation of cultural heritage.
To varying degrees, however, the countries all have institutions
and legislative frameworks for the protection and promotion of
tangible cultural heritage. They also examined the importance
of working with civil society and the contribution of cultural
heritage
tourism and technological innovations in the field.
Although a certain framework exists for tangible heritage, the
same cannot be said for intangible heritage. Most countries,
in fact, have a gap in legislation in this regard. Moreover,
the relationship
between cultural tourism and intangible heritage is one of the
least documented aspects. Finally, all countries seemed to recognize
the importance of preserving intangible heritage through cultural
policies.
At the plenary session, the ministers showed appreciation for
the Mexican study. The recognized the need to adopt and implement
national
policies to protect and promote cultural heritage. In order to
ensure better heritage development, they agreed to examine various
alternatives, including partnership with the private sector. A number of ministers also stressed that although culture and
heritage are closely linked, the same cannot be said of capital
and entertainment. While not actually impeding economic development,
heritage is neither a business nor entertainment. Special attention
must therefore be paid to these two factors in the future in order
not to distort the importance of heritage. As Katérina Sténou
of UNESCO noted, "we do not have to auction everything off
so easily and so quickly". Ethical issues and the funding
of heritage must also be considered.
According to the ministers, awareness of safeguarding culture
is at the heart of the matter. This awareness, which can be achieved
through education in particular, is necessary in order for heritage
to mean something to citizens and be regarded as worth preserving
and promoting. With public support, governments will have the legitimacy
to act and to pursue the matter further; otherwise, any investment
in this regard would be impossible.
Finally, the ministers concluded that heritage must be alive,
that is, it must not be confined to the past. It must be brought
to life, even experienced, so the public recognizes its importance
to their lives today and so that new generations also identify
with it. More than anything else, the ministers stressed, heritage
is part of identity - past, present and future.
Summary of comments:
Intangible heritage can be defined as a collective action that
completes the infrastructure and the necessary services that can
turn into a tourism product to generate economic profits and improve
the well-being of the community. The relationship between cultural
tourism and intangible heritage is one of the least researched
and documented aspects at the moment, but could surely contribute
to the sustainable development of various communities.
Sari Bermudez, Mexico
We need to educate our people to reinterpret history, to help
them to understand how we make meaning of things. And in the creation
of that meaning, it is only then that we will be able to get them
to understand that, ultimately, investing in our culture is the
only way really to express confidence in ourselves.
Sydney Bartley, Jamaica
Back to Top
B. Cultural Diversity and Concentration in Media Synthesis:
In this part, Jerker Stattin presented the work of the Special
Policy Research Team on Media Issues, chaired by Sweden. The Team
looked at the growing concentration of media ownership and the
threat it represents to cultural diversity in an era of globalized
information. It also focused on two key issues: access to the media
and media content. In both cases, the study showed that media concentration
has an impact on cultural diversity. Moreover, this concentration
is likely to increase given the horizontal and vertical structure
of media conglomerates. Thus there is a strong possibility that
the cultural sector and its products in the media may become even
more standardized. Finally, the study concluded that the media
are a major cultural player and play a crucial role with regard
to cultural diversity.
The ministers responded favourably to the report conclusions.
They are also concerned about the risk of standardization of information
due to globalization. To counter this trend, Norway is quoted as
an example. In 1999, the "Media Ownership Act" was adopted,
which prohibits owners from acquiring more than a third of national
ownership. This accounts for the relatively diverse media ownership
in Norway.
Canada has a great variety of media (TV, radio, newspapers), but
they are owned by a very small number of multinationals. Given
the importance of freedom of the press, it is difficult for governments
to legislate in this regaC. Interculturalité et observatoires
culturels
En dernier lieu, on a invité les ministres à réfléchir
aux nouvelles orientations qui se manifestent dans le domaine de
la politique culturelle. La création d'observatoires culturels
et l'allusion croissante au concept d'interculturalité dans
les forums culturels méritent l'attention du RIPC. D'une
part, les observatoires culturels se chargent d'analyser, de recueillir
et de diffuser des renseignements au secteur culturel afin de créer
des liens et faciliter ainsi la communication entre les différents
acteurs du milieu culturel. D'autre part, l'interculturalité,
elle, concerne l'interaction et la communication entre les cultures
aussi bien que la croissance du respect réciproque des différences
culturelles. Ces orientations révèlent l'importance
des échanges intraculturels, interculturels ainsi qu'à l'intérieur
de l'ensemble du secteur de la culture en général.
rd; they must proceed with caution. To
this end, Quebec has attempted an approach within its areas of
jurisdiction, asking media enterprises to propose a self-regulatory
mechanism themselves. It also asked journalists to set out a
strict code of journalistic ethics and is also considering providing
funding
for independent media outlets. The concentration of information is of particular concern to developing
countries. As Motee Ramdass, of Mauritius, noted, it is more difficult
for these countries to impose regulatory measures in view of the
presence of international conglomerates.
Finally, as Antun Vujic, of Croatia, noted, the concentration
of information is just as important to countries in transition.
In his opinion, this is one of the most crucial matters facing
his country, involving both political and cultural issues.
Finally, the ministers concluded that the media can play a role
in protecting culture and promoting cultural diversity. There should
accordingly be an ongoing dialogue among governments and the media
with regard to culture. At the same time, the media should also
reflect a country's cultural diversity, be it racial, regional
or demographic. They must therefore present a whole range of voices.
Summary of comments:
Media is a true cultural actor that shouldn't be neglected in
the overall discussion on cultural diversity.
Jerker Stattin, Sweden
You may have this great objective of protecting culture, whether
tangible or intangible, but if the press does not provide the necessary
support, you are unfortunately not destined for success.
Motee Ramdass, Mauritius
Back to Top
C. Interculturality and Cultural Observatories Synthesis:
The third part of the session focused on two new trends in cultural
policy: the concept of interculturality and the creation of observatories
of cultural policies. These two topics were presented by Josée
Arbique, Director of the INCP Liaison Bureau.
Interculturality
The concept of interculturality is becoming increasingly important
with respect to cultural policy. In the near future, it could
have a significant impact on government policies, cultural
programs and the role of civil society. It could also change the
cultural
integration policies of some countries. Interculturality is the interaction among cultures, sharing and
communication where a person accepts the reciprocal nature of the
other person's culture. In short, interculturality is taking multiculturalism
a step further. This concept includes the ties that must be established
among various cultures sharing the same space, in an egalitarian
relationship. Intercultural policies and programs are therefore
ways of learning how to live together, how to ensure full participation
by all cultures and also how to guarantee freedom of expression
(in all forms) in a pluralist and multicultural society.
Cultural observatories
The creation of cultural policy observatories is a recent phenomenon,
first emerging in Europe. Their primary mission is to observe
and monitor the cultural sector within specific borders and
to disseminate this information. By making this information available to all cultural agencies
and government departments, observatories play an international
role that could potentially contribute to the development of the
concept of interculturality in the adoption of cultural policies
in the years ahead.
With ready access to this type of information, ministers of culture
would be more familiar with the programs and initiatives of other
countries and would be better able to study and understand the
cultures making up their own country.
In this regard, the Liaison Bureau suggested that an inventory
be prepared of all observatories around the world, which could
be made available on the Web site.
During the discussion, the ministers responded favourably to
these two emerging topics and recognized their importance.
As to interculturality, the ministers spoke about their own multicultural
or multi-linguistic reality. A number of them recognized that education
plays a major role with respect to interculturality by fostering
respect for cultures. Others noted that education is not the only
part in this process. Finally, interculturality is viewed as a
topical issue that should be considered in conjunction with globalization.
As to observatories of cultural policies, the ministers were pleased
with the emergence of such a body to promote the sector. At present,
there are a lot of gaps in this regard, especially in developing
countries where cultural statistics may be lacking. The creation
of such an inventory should therefore address this in particular.
It could also provide tools to develop skills in this area, with
a view to North-South partnership.
Finally, it was suggested that all cultural policies should begin
with an inventory of local, regional or national cultural resources.
This type of map would provide a basis for even more reliable cultural
policies. It could be a tool to raise the profile of culture, making
it a major issue that governments from both the North and South
could consider and act upon.
Summary of comments:
One of the challenges that policy makers have for developing countries
is the lack of statistical data on culture.
Baldwin Ben Ngubane, South Africa
In my opinion, interculturality is the surest if not the only
way to achieve peace.
Motee Ramdass, Mauritius
Back to Top |