Dakar Statement
Eighth Annual Ministerial Meeting
International Network on Cultural Policy - Dakar, Senegal, November
20-23, 2005
Participating members: Senegal,Angola,
Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Cuba, France, Haiti, Iceland,
Iran, Malaysia, Morocco, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland and
Venezuela
Observing Members: Central
African Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ivory Coast, Jamaica,
Lebanon, Mozambique, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, South Africa,
Sweden
Special Guest: Mauritania
Intergovernmental Organizations: UNESCO,
Agence intergouvernementale de la Francophonie, Economic and Monetary
Union of West Africa, International Federation of Arts Councils
and Culture Agencies, United Cities and Local Governments
The Eighth Annual Ministerial Meeting of the International Network
on Cultural Policy (INCP) was held in Dakar, Senegal, from November
20 to 23, 2005. Thirty-one members, one special guest, and
representatives from five International Organisations participated.
Mr. Mame Birame Diouf, Minister of Culture and Classified Historical
Heritage of Senegal, this year’s President of the INCP, chaired
the discussions. The opening session allowed Ministers, Heads of
Delegations and the UNESCO representative to underline the important
contribution of the INCP to the adoption of the UNESCO Convention
on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
In particular, they noted the necessity of its rapid entry into
force and subsequent implementation. They also highlighted
the importance of international cooperation, discussed the challenges
linked to cultural diversity in relation to social cohesion and
sustainable development, as well as the relationship between culture
and economy.
Ministers strongly applauded the adoption of the Convention and
congratulated UNESCO for its completion within the two-year timeframe
requested by Member States. They also renewed the mandate
of the Working Group on Cultural Diversity and Globalization and
asked it to pursue strategies for the ratification and implementation
of the Convention.
During the course of the meeting, Ministers invited civil society
to discuss their shared objectives in the ratification of the Convention
by the greatest number of countries possible.
Ministers and Heads of Delegation were received by His Excellency
Abdoulaye Wade, President of the Republic of Senegal. Ministers
were impressed with the warm welcome they received during this occasion
and thanked the Head of State for the interest shown in their work.
Ministers welcomed five new Members to the INCP: Angola,
Estonia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Nigeria and Venezuela, bringing
the total to 68 Ministers.
Finally, Ministers expressed their utmost satisfaction with the
significant impact of the work undertaken by the Network since its
inception in 1998.
Three main themes were discussed at this meeting:
1. Cultural Diversity, Social Cohesion and Sustainable
Development
Ministers warmly congratulated and thanked Senegal for their report
that clearly demonstrated the complexity of this year’s chosen theme.
Ministers concluded that cultural diversity is an essential component
of sustainable development and social cohesion. They stressed
the importance of promoting an open exchange of ideas and best practices
at the national and international level. A number of Ministers noted
that supporting diversity at the national level contributes positively
to social cohesion domestically and to respect for cultural identity
at the global level. Some also noted that providing equal
opportunity for men and women is key to promoting cultural diversity.
Ministers noted the general lack of recognition and understanding
of the links between cultural diversity, sustainable development
and social cohesion at the national and international level.
Ministers also noted that a focus on these issues is of great importance
for all but in particular for developing countries.
Ministers encouraged the development of a common language and understanding
of the interdependence of cultural diversity, sustainable development
and social cohesion. As a means of achieving this objective,
Ministers called for the development of indicators and other statistical
tools in order to effectively address the challenges that emerge.
2. The INCP Working Group on Cultural Diversity and Globalization
The Chair of the INCP Working Group on Cultural Diversity and Globalization
reported on the implementation of the mandate given by Ministers
in Shanghai in October 2004. Ministers congratulated the Working
Group on having fulfilled its mandate and proceeded to discuss key
issues related to the entry into force of the UNESCO Convention
on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
In discussing the ratification of the Convention, Ministers responded
positively to the call by the Minister of Culture and Classified
Historic Heritage from Senegal for INCP members to work together
to ensure that the Convention enters into force as quickly as possible.
Ministers undertook to effectively promote the ratification of the
Convention in national, regional and international fora.
Ministers agreed to renew the mandate of the Working Group for
another year and requested that it act as a facilitator to help
advance cultural policy discussions. They requested that the
Working Group also undertake activities in three areas:
- To develop and implement a strategy that would monitor the
progress of ratification, provide technical advice to INCP members,
and play an active advocacy role at the national, regional and
international level;
- To consult with INCP members on the nature of the international
cooperation that countries are seeking and undertake pilot projects
aimed at demonstrating the practical value of the Convention;
and,
- Continue to work with civil society and encourage their active
participation in the promotion of the objectives of the Convention.
3. Building the Future – Emerging Cultural Policy Trends
and Issues
Ministers discussed the paper prepared by Spain on Culture and
Economy, as well as the paper on Emerging Cultural Policy Trends
prepared by the INCP Liaison Bureau.
Dialogue with civil society representatives
Ministers had the opportunity to engage in a discussion with members
of civil society during a dialogue session with representatives
of the International Network on Cultural Diversity (INCD) and of
the International Liaison Committee of the Coalitions for Cultural
Diversity (ILCCCD).
Both organizations congratulated INCP members on the adoption of
the UNESCO Convention and strongly urged members to ratify and implement
the Convention as soon as possible.
Ministers congratulated both organizations and noted the important
role they played in the successful adoption of the Convention.
They also stressed the importance of continuing the dialogue between
civil society and governments.
Conclusion
In adjourning, the Ministers promised to continue these and other
discussions at their next meeting in Brazil in 2006. Brazil
proposed the Relaxation of the rules of the Intellectual Property
Rights System as theme for the 9th Annual Ministerial
Meeting.
Spain also confirmed that it will take on the presidency of the
INCP in 2007 and as such, will host the Network’s 10th
Annual Ministerial Meeting.
Ministers thanked Senegal for its warm welcome and the work undertaken
in presiding and hosting this year’s Annual Ministerial Meeting.
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