Confrence gnrale

30e session Document d information

inf

Paris 1999

General Conference
30th Session Information document

Conferencia General
30a reunin Documento de informacin

30 C/INF.39 13 November 1999 Original: English

Round Table of Ministers of Culture Paris, UNESCO, 2 November 1999 Culture and Creativity in a Globalized World Conclusions on the theme Cultural diversity in a globalized world At the end of their round table, held on the occasion of the 30th session of the General Conference of UNESCO, the participating ministers of culture reached the following conclusions: In a globalized world, cultural diversity must be upheld in order to preserve human dignity. Culture is nourished by the heritage, but also by the creativity of human beings. Diversity is nourished by creativity. The priority is to support creativity and creators. Pluralism is the key to the future. Freedom of choice, recognized by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is at stake. Democracy is also as necessary at the international level as it is at the national level. Culture should not take second place to the economy. At the same time, it must be acknowledged that the cultural industries are the industries of the future and that both technology and exchanges among countries can encourage their development. Some ministers argued that globalization also offers positive cultural opportunities as new technologies provide new scope for expression by minorities and for cultural exchange. It was argued that the appropriate response to any threats of cultural homogenization would be vigorous efforts to strengthen national cultural policies rather than to exclude influences from outside. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to defending and promoting cultural diversity. In the context of the information society, they are convinced of the need to preserve and promote the plurality of cultures and languages because of the wealth they represent.

30 C/INF.39 - page 2 In support of the Stockholm Action Plan and in view of the challenges that globalization represents, the ministers are determined to join forces in order to encourage the adoption of rules promoting the diversity of cultures, which is the heritage of humanity and of future generations. The ministers stressed the fact that the protection and the promotion of the tangible and intangible heritage must be central to long-term cultural policies. They agreed that the concept of heritage had considerably evolved and that it must now incorporate a future-oriented vision, making way for contemporary cultural creation, its encouragement and its dissemination, with the active participation of other actors in civil society. In like manner, they acknowledged that the undeniable value of the heritage in social, economic and development policies is of crucial importance. The ministers consider that all cultural and audiovisual goods and services deserve special treatment, in the context of international commercial negotiations, because they are the reflection of different cultural identities. In this respect, the ministers consider that the dematerialized transmission of audiovisual output in no way modifies its nature, by virtue of the principle of technological neutrality, a principle to which they are attached. They are aware of the responsibility devolving upon governments for the protection and distribution of cultural works nationally and internationally. They recognize the right of States and governments to establish freely their cultural and audiovisual policies and to adopt the means and instruments required for their implementation. The ministers consider that civil societies should be further mobilized in a concerted manner around these challenges. To that end, while making greater efforts to democratize access to cultural goods and services, it is essential to expand the process of consultation with civil society and the private sector so as to take into account their priorities and interests. The ministers also stress the importance of the participation of civil society and of the private sector in cultural projects. The challenge is to achieve unified action and to establish a relationship based on shared interests and criteria. UNESCO has an important role to play in reflection and international action relating to all these questions and should reinforce its decisive role as regards the affirmation and promotion of cultural diversity in the context of a world in transition. In that connection, the ministers underline the importance of a draft resolution on cultural diversity which is being submitted to the General Conference. The ministers consider that UNESCO should: identify priorities, put itself at the service of the Member States, and ensure the best possible follow-up to the Stockholm Conference in the context of its future strategies; assert itself as the most appropriate place for achieving progress in the debate on cultural diversity and the dialogue between cultures; assert itself also as the appropriate framework for considering the means for cultural diversity in a globalized world;

30 C/INF.39 - page 3 support the work of the International Network on Cultural Policy, which has similar objectives and goals. Lastly, they expressed the wish that, within the framework of the Medium-Term Strategy for 2002-2007, there should be a marked reinforcement of all of UNESCO action in s the cultural field, and that its intellectual watch mission and role as a forum should be specially reasserted. The ministers invite the Director-General to transmit the conclusions of the round table to the Member States participating in the 30th session of the General Conference.