Convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions

KEY POINTS

Convention objectives

• Protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions.
• Creating the conditions for cultures to flourish and to interact in a mutually beneficial way.
• Encouraging dialogue among cultures and wider cultural exchanges in the world, based on respect and a culture of peace.
• Fostering interculturality, i.e. shared cultural expressions through dialogue and mutual respect, developing cultural interaction and building bridges among peoples.
• Promoting respect for the diversity of cultural expressions and raising awareness of its value at the local, national and international levels.
• Reaffirming the importance of the link between culture and development everywhere, particularly in developing countries, and to support national or international actions to recognise the true value of this link.
• Recognising the distinctive nature of cultural activities, goods and services as vehicles of identity, values and meaning.
• Reaffirming countries’ sovereign rights to implement policies and measures that protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions.
• Strengthening international cooperation and solidarity in a spirit of partnership, particularly aimed at enhancing the capacity of developing countries to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions.

Guiding principles

• Cultural diversity can be protected and promoted only if human rights and fundamental freedoms are guaranteed.
• Countries have the sovereign right to adopt measures and policies to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions within their territory.
• Protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions presuppose the recognition of equal dignity of and respect for all cultures, including the cultures of persons belonging to minorities and indigenous peoples.
• International cooperation and solidarity should enable countries, especially developing countries, to create and strengthen their means of cultural expression.
• The cultural aspects of development are as important as its economic aspects, which individuals and peoples have the fundamental right to participate in and enjoy.
• Cultural diversity is a rich asset for individuals and societies and an essential requirement for sustainable development for the benefit of present and future generations.
• Equitable access to a rich and diversified range of cultural expressions from all over the world, and access to the means of expression and dissemination, are important elements for enhancing cultural diversity and encouraging mutual understanding.
• When countries adopt measures to support the diversity of cultural expressions, they should seek to promote openness to other cultures of the world and to ensure that these measures are in line with the convention’s objectives.

Definitions in the convention

• Cultural diversity refers to the many ways that the cultures of groups and societies are expressed. These expressions are passed on within and among groups and societies, and include artistic creation and its enjoyment.
• Cultural content refers to the symbolic meaning, artistic dimension and cultural values that originate from or express cultural identities.
• Cultural expressions are those expressions that result from the creativity of individuals, groups and societies, and that have cultural content.
• Cultural activities, goods and services are those which embody or convey cultural expressions, irrespective of the commercial value they may have.
• Cultural industries are those producing and distributing cultural goods or services.
• Cultural policies and measures are those relating to culture at the local, national, regional or international levels. They may be focused on culture or designed to have a direct effect on cultural expressions of individuals, groups or societies.

Rights and obligations of parties to the convention

• Measures promoting cultural expressions, with particular attention to the special circumstances and needs of women and various social groups, including persons belonging to minorities and indigenous peoples.
• Measures protecting cultural expressions, including in situations where cultural expressions are at risk of extinction, under serious threat or otherwise in need of urgent safeguarding.
• Information sharing and transparency, including submitting reports to UNESCO every 4 years and designating a national point of contact.
• Education and public awareness, including setting up educational, training and exchange programmes.
• The role of civil society in protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions.
• Promotion of international cooperation to create conditions conducive to diversity of cultural expressions, including in situations where this is under serious threat.
• Integrating culture in sustainable development at all levels.
• Supporting cooperation for sustainable development and poverty reduction, especially in developing countries, to foster the emergence of a dynamic cultural sector.
• Developing partnerships between and within the public and private sectors and non-profit organisations;
• Preferential treatment for developing countries.
• Creating an International Fund for Cultural Diversity.
• Exchange, analysis and dissemination of information.

Governing bodies of the convention

• The Conference of Parties, the plenary and supreme body of the convention, meets in ordinary session every 2 years.
• The Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions meets annually. It is composed of representatives of the countries that are party to the convention, who are elected for 4-year terms by the Conference of Parties.
• The UNESCO secretariat provides administrative assistance.