Advancing Cultural Diversity Globally:
The INCD Releases the Opatija Declaration
Opatija, Croatia, Oct 17 - The International Network for Cultural Diversity’s (INCD) Fourth Annual Conference in Opatija, Croatia October 13-15, was both a celebration and a moment for refocusing on challenges to come.
In Opatija, 110 artists, cultural activists and organizations from around the world celebrated a huge step forward when UNESCO voted on October 12, to take on the process of elaborating a legally-binding Convention on Cultural Diversity.
The INCD has been at the forefront of the movement to develop a treaty to protect and promote cultural diversity since its founding in 2000. The cultural diversity movement has achieved amazing success in a very short time but now faces the substantive work. Delegates from 37 countries examined the obstacles the Convention will face and how to ensure that it is an effective tool for the advancement of cultural diversity in the struggle against commercial trade interests.
As this year’s theme was the role of civil society, importance was given to developing the work of the INCD. Topics including developing cultural capacity, technology as a tool for diversity and the role of culture in situations of conflict were discussed. These issues are integral to the Convention but were also looked at as strategic areas of action for the INCD.
Delegates also examined how this fight fit into the broader social justice movement, especially in light of the failure of the recent World Trade Organization Ministerial.
The results of these debates were presented on October 17 to the Ministerial meeting of the International Network on Cultural Policy, which regroups 58 ministers of culture. The two networks have been meeting in parallel since 2000, allowing for significant dialogue between the cultural sector and governments.
For information or
interviews:
Croatia: Canada
Nina Obuljen Kevin
Desjardins
385 9820 4477 1 613 238
3561
incd-opatija@irmo.hr kevin.desjardins@ccarts.ca
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