RIO DE JANEIRO STATEMENT

NINTH ANNUAL MINISTERIAL MEETING
INTERNATIONAL NETWORK ON CULTURAL POLICY
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
NOVEMBER 22 – 25, 2006

Participating Members: Brazil, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Belgium, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Cuba, El Salvador, France, Germany, Greece, Korea, Lesotho, Mexico, Mozambique, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Venezuela

Special Guests: Paraguay, Suriname

Intergovernmental Organizations: UNESCO, Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, United Cities and Local Governments, International Federation of Arts Councils and Cultural Agencies,

On November 22-25, 2006, Mr. Gilberto Gil, Minister of Culture of Brazil and this year’s President of the International Network on Cultural Policy (INCP) hosted the Ninth Annual Ministerial Meeting in Rio de Janeiro.

Subjects of particular interest this year included a dialogue on access to culture, copyrights and new technologies and the challenges they represent to cultural diversity. An update on the progress of ratification of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which was adopted during the 33rd UNESCO General Conference in October 2005, also took place.  Ministers reflected on a number of emerging trends and issues in the area of cultural policy, in particular the interface between intercultural dialogue and social cohesion.

Ministers applauded and highlighted the INCP’s key role as a strong advocate in promoting first the adoption and now the rapid ratification and entry into force of the Convention.  Ministers also noted the important work that lies ahead at UNESCO with respect to the implementation of the Convention and expressed their commitment to pursuing an advocacy role.

Ministers invited the International Network on Cultural Diversity (INCD) and International Liaison Committee of the Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (ILCCCD), two international non-governmental organisations, to report on their activities to promote the ratification of the Convention and to share ideas regarding its implementation phase.  Ministers reiterated the importance of involving civil society in their discussions, especially with respect to the UNESCO Convention.
Finally, Ministers expressed their utmost satisfaction with the significant impact of the work undertaken by the Network since its inception in 1998. 

Main Themes Discussed:

• Access to Culture: Copyrights and New Technologies, Evolving Challenges to Cultural Diversity

Ministers congratulated and thanked the Ministry of Culture of Brazil for its comprehensive study on this theme prepared in consultation with INCP members, and noted that the document clearly illustrated the complexity of the theme at hand. The Brazilian Minister announced that a more detailed version of the study would be distributed.  Ministers debated on different aspects related to cultural diversity such as the challenges of technological advancements and copyrights.  In addition, although in many cases the responsibility of developing copyright policy does not fall within the sphere of ministries of culture, it is important for INCP Ministers to discuss its impact on the cultural sector and its relevance to policy making in general.  Furthermore, Ministers recognized the challenges that countries face with respect to copyrights, in particular developing countries, and appreciated the opportunity for an open exchange of ideas on the subject.  Ministers also recognised the consistent need to work towards finding a balance between the rights of creators; producers; and, society’s access to culture.  The Brazilian Minister of Culture proposed the creation of a voluntary experts group that would meet via a virtual discussion forum hosted by the Ministry of Culture of Brazil.  Concurrently, the Minister announced Brazil’s interest in hosting a meeting of this group during the second half of 2007.

• The UNESCO Convention on the Promotion and Protection of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions

Following a report by the Chair of the INCP Working Group on Cultural Diversity and Globalization, participants congratulated the Group on having fulfilled its mandate for 2006 and in particular for its advocacy efforts with respect to the rapid ratification of the UNESCO Convention.  In addition, they welcomed the update provided by the UNESCO representative regarding initiatives undertaken by the organization in regards to the ratification of the Convention.  Ministers proceeded to discuss key issues related to its entry into force and implementation.  

During the session, participants welcomed the idea raised by several INCP members that they continue to work together to ensure that the Convention enters into force as quickly and as widely as possible.  Ministers undertook to continue to effectively promote the ratification of the Convention in national, regional and international forum. They congratulated UNESCO on its work in relation to this convention to date, trusting that it will continue to display its commitment as this important normative instrument enters its implementation phase.  

Ministers agreed to renew the mandate of the Working Group for another year.  They requested that the Working Group undertake activities with a view to:

• Continue to play an active advocacy role in support of a timely and widespread ratification of the Convention;
• To further the reflection on the implementation of the Convention and to explore the complementary role to UNESCO that the INCP could have on this matter.
• Continue to work with civil society and encourage their active participation in the promotion of the objectives of the Convention; and
• To explore and identify new and emerging cultural policy trends that may help guide the future work of the Network, among them the complexities existing between culture and economics.

• Building the Future – Emerging Cultural Policy Trends and Issues

During the first portion of this session, Spain lead a round table dialogue focusing on a paper prepared by the Liaison Bureau on emerging cultural policy trends.  Ministers used this opportunity to share views and idea on cultural issues, which are of particular importance in their respective countries at this time. 

The UNESCO representative highlighted the urgent need for joint efforts for the clarification of key concepts pertinent to cultural policy, noting that a common language is a crucial precondition for efficient and effective advancements on a national and international level.

Following the roundtable discussion, Spain reiterated its commitment to host the next ministerial meeting and informed members that the meeting will be held in Seville.  Next year’s meeting will continue to focus on the UNESCO Convention and Spain’s chosen theme of Intercultural Dialogue.

Session with Civil Society Representatives from the Cultural Sector

Representatives of the International Network on Cultural Diversity (INCD) and of the International Liaison Committee of the Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (ILCCCD) had the opportunity to present their activities in promoting the rapid ratification of the Convention.

Civil society congratulated INCP members on efforts undertaken in favour of the Convention’s rapid ratification and expressed continued interest in working with the Network.

Conclusion

In adjourning, Ministers agreed to continue these and other discussions during the Tenth Annual Ministerial Meeting that will be held in Spain in 2007.

Ministers expressed their appreciation for the dedicated work carried out by the Liaison Bureau in support of the Network, in an effective and efficient manner. 

Ministers thanked Brazil for its warm welcome and the work undertaken in presiding and hosting this year’s Annual Ministerial Meeting. 

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