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International Instrument on Cultural Diversity Reader

Background

As an informal venue, the International Network on Cultural Policy (INCP) is gaining a reputation as an avant-garde international "think-tank" on cultural policy issues. At the Third Annual Ministerial Meeting of the INCP in Santorini, Greece in September 2000, Ministers endorsed a preliminary series of cultural diversity principles and directed the Working Group on Cultural Diversity and Globalization to elaborate the framework and scope of a cultural diversity instrument. At the Fourth Annual Ministerial Meeting of the INCP in Lucerne, Switzerland in September 2001, Ministers approved the scope and framework of an International Instrument on Cultural Diversity (IICD) and gave the Working Group on Cultural Diversity and Globalization a two-year mandate for work on the International Instrument. A draft text including some governance issues will be presented at the next Annual Ministerial Meeting.

Purpose

The purpose of the Reader is to provide background information on cultural diversity and on the genesis of the idea for the International Instrument on Cultural Diversity (IICD).

The information, drawn from a variety of sources, represents the most relevant papers and language that have guided international discussions on cultural diversity and the idea of an IICD.

International Instrument on Cultural Diversity

The recognition and importance of cultural diversity to social and economic development is not a new item on the international political agenda. It was highlighted in 1995, in the UNESCO Report of the World Commission on Culture and Development, Our Creative Diversity. In 1998, UNESCO's Stockholm Action Plan identified "cultural policy as one of the key components of endogenous and sustainable development." In addition to its recognition in traditional cultural fora, the concept of cultural diversity has permeated non-cultural fora such as the G-8, World Bank, Council of Europe and La Francophonie as an important component to quality of life, conflict resolution and human security (see documents 1 to 8).

However, despite a host of statements and communiqués, existing international agreements address only some aspects of cultural diversity; are often declaratory in nature; and provide no direction for concerted action. Given the importance of cultural diversity and the increasing pressure to address cultural diversity issues in the context of globalization, there is a need for a new international instrument that would set the context and define the conditions necessary to fairly and equitably realize the opportunities and benefits of cultural diversity within and among countries.

In an environment of increasing globalization and technological change, the International Instrument on Cultural Diversity (IICD) is an initiative to recognize the essential role of cultural diversity to social and economic development, including the special role that cultural goods and services play in our societies.

Unlike previous commitments, an International Instrument for Cultural Diversity (IICD) would be based on a strong consensus and clear objectives that would move cultural diversity beyond declaratory notions and provide a blueprint for the role of culture in a global world. Based on a global consensus of the broader importance of cultural diversity for the social and economic prosperity of societies, an international agreement would allow countries to address specific challenges in ensuring their place in global diversity, and find effective solutions to national diversity concerns.

Instrument Goals

The process of developing and building consensus for an IICD is raising the profile of cultural diversity in a profound way by raising the level of understanding for why it is important and how it benefits us; and exploring the relationship between culture and social economic development. A truly successful instrument - based on clear vision, principles and objectives - would recognize cultural diversity as a public good requiring due consideration in the development of public policy similar to that of the environment and sustainable development.

Instrument Reader

The following table of content provides a list of declarations, statements as well as the most relevant papers that have guided international discussions on cultural diversity and the idea of an IICD. The documents included in this reader are in the language in which they were published. Documents recently added to the Instrument Reader are identified by an asterix.

Instrument Reader - Table of Contents

1. Multilateral References to Cultural Diversity:
   Cultural diversity questions are occupying an increasingly high profile on the international agenda. The concept is being endorsed by many international organizations.
   1. G-8: Okinawa Communiqué, July 2000
   2. INCP: Santorini Statement, September 2000
   3. Council of Europe: Declaration on Cultural Diversity, December 2000
   4. UNESCO: Outline of a Declaration on Cultural Diversity "Non-Paper", April 2001 (Page not available)
   5. OAS: Declaration, Third Summit of the Americas, April 2001
   6. La Francophonie: Déclaration de Cotonou, IIIe Conférence ministérielle sur la Culture, June 2001 (only in French)
   7. INCP: Lucerne Statement, September 2001
   8. UNESCO: Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, November 2001
      
      
2. International civil society has become implicated in the debate over cultural diversity. An IICD would clarify its position and give it a greater voice.
   9. Forum on Globalization and Cultural Diversity - Valencia Statement on Globalization and Cultural Diversity, May 2000
   10. International Network on Cultural Diversity: Founding Statement, September 2000
   11. Coalition for Cultural Diversity: Final Declaration of the First International Meeting of Professional Associations from the Cultural Milieu, September 2001
   12. International Network on Cultural Diversity: Final Declaration and Report to the Ministers of Culture, September 2001
   13. International Network on Cultural Diversity: Report on WTO New Round of Trade Negotiations, November 2001
       
       
3. Culture and Trade Policy:
   In an increasingly globalized world, the structure of the international trade system needs to be reconciled with the desire of governments to pursue cultural policy initiatives.
   14. Canadian Periodicals: Canada - Certain Measures Concerning Periodicals, Chinedu R. Ezetah, 1998
   15. WTO: Audiovisual Services, Background Note by the Secretariat, June 1998
   16. Concertation Francophone dans le cadre des négociations de l'OMC, Quels enjeux pour la Francophonie: Questions sur les biens et services, Ivan Bernier et Pierre Sauvé, 1999
   17. SAGIT: Canadian Culture in a Global World, Executive Summary, February 1999
   18. UNESCO: Culture, trade and globalisation - Questions and Answers
   19. Towards a Canadian Position on Trade in Cultural Goods and Services, Discussion paper, May 1999
   20. Council of Europe: A strategy document on cultural diversity and international trade agreements, September 2000
       
   21. UNESCO: 2000-2010: Cultural Diversity: Challenges of the Marketplace, December 2000
       
   22. WTO: Communication from the United States: Audiovisual and Related Services, December 2000
       
   23. Globalization, Trade and Culture Project Conference Report, Michael K. Hawes, March 2001
       
   24. WTO: Communication from Switzerland: GATS 2000 Audio-visual services, May 2001
       
   25. The Right of States and Governments to support Culture in Light of the Changing Regulatory Framework of International Trade: Towards an International Instrument?, Dave Atkinson, May 2001
       
   26. Preserving and Promoting Cultural Diversity: Necessity and Prospects for Action, Ivan Bernier, September 2001
       
   27. Culture and the International Trade Rules: Issues and Outlook, Anne McCaskill, September 2001
       
   28. Evaluation of the Legal Feasibility of an International Instrument Governing Cultural Diversity, Study produced for le Groupe de travail franco-québécois sur la diversité culturelle
       
       
4. Instrument Documents: Working Group on Cultural Diversity and Globalization:
   The working group has been studying the implications of an IICD. The documents it has produced provide useful insight into what issues must be taken into consideration.
   29. Overview: Executive Summary - Catalogue of International Principles Pertaining to Culture, Ivan Bernier, June 2000 (Hannover)
       
   30. Discussion Paper for Ministerial Consideration - International Responses to the Challenges Facing Cultural Diversity, September 2000 (Santorini)
       
   31. Cultural Diversity Construct (4 Baskets), September 2000 (Paris)
       
   32. Scope and Architecture of a New International Instrument on Cultural Diversity, Ivan Bernier, May 2000 (Leysin)
       
   33. Discussion Paper for Ministerial Consideration - Scope and Framework of an International Instrument on Cultural Diversity, September 2001 (Lucerne)
       
   34. A Pilot Inventory of National Cultural Policies and Measures Supporting Cultural Diversity "All Talents Count", European Research Institute for Comparative Cultural Policy and the Arts (ERICarts), Bonn, July 2001
       

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