International Network for
Cultural Diversity
April 2002
Newsletter 18
Contents:
1. Hemispheric Dialogue: Report on the first OAS Experts
Seminar on Cultural Diversity
Organization of American States
Vancouver, B.C. March 18-19 2002
The first American hemispheric seminar of experts took place in Vancouver March 18 and 19, 2002 and dealt with two thematic approaches to the issue of cultural diversity. Chapter 17 of the Declaration of the Quebec Summit of the Americas in 2001 called for dialogue on cultural diversity and a seminar of experts to recommend how to promote cultural diversity in the hemisphere. The purpose of the meeting was to provide a series of issues for consideration to be carried forward through the planning of the hemispheric summit of Ministers of Culture in July 2002 in Columbia.
The seminar represents a watershed development in the hemisphere, which has for centuries imposed Eurocentric values and practices as official national cultural identity. The mono-cultural framework has all too frequently led to policies that wiped out or endangered entire nations and groups of Indigenous peoples, Afro-Descendents, and women. The OAS embarks on the topic of cultural diversity at a global moment in which culture has emerged as a pivotal arena, equivalent to promotion of democratic philosophies and practices in nation-states and multilateral bodies, economic stability/sustainability, and military security. In fact, it is increasingly asserted that culture is/should be the bedrock upon which all other institutional structures and practices are established and that cultural development (including the material well being of all citizens and national economic advancement) should be the goal of society and the market.
Delegates from 29 countries and 4 inter-governmental agencies participated in the debates. These were structured in such a way that governmental delegations and civil society were given equal opportunity for interventions – an unusual approach which proved valuable. The full participation by NGO’s stands in contrast to policy approaches which engage cultural policy development primarily from the perspective of governmental authority. Both sides found that the debates were stimulated by a frank exchange of views, leading to action-oriented recommendations.
The INCD was represented by two members of the INCD Steering Committee, James Early and Rafael Segovia; a member from Trinidad, Bruce Paddington; INCD Coordinator, Garry Neil; INCD Administrator, Alexis Andrew; and the Chair of the INCD’s Artists Leadership Council, RH Thomson. Robert Pilon and Louise Vachon represented the Coalition for Cultural Diversity, a Canadian-based group of professional associations. There were also civil society representatives from some South American countries in addition to a number of American academics.
Following a historical overview of the cultural work of the OAS, March 18 was devoted to Fostering National Cultural Policies in a Globalized Environment based on a discussion paper prepared by the Department of Canadian Heritage, official host of the seminar. The recommendations that arose out of the discussions included:
· the need to promote cultural rights and cultural democracy,
· the important role for a hemispheric Cultural Observatory,
· increased respect and opportunities for marginalized communities, including a special emphasis on indigenous peoples,
· a focus on copyright issues,
· concerns about the cultural impact of the bilateral and multilateral trade agreements,
· the need to build greater alliances between the various stakeholders, and
· a need for greater attention to the protection of heritage and cultural resources.
March 19’s session, Building Development through Culture, was animated by a thorough discussion paper from the Columbian government transforming the idea of culture as a means of development, to culture as the end result of development – a radical shift in perception. It emphasized the centrality of culture in the determination of all national policies and the need for development policies to be created and implemented by local communities. Many of the recommendations from the debate echoed the points from the previous day, underscoring the intertwined nature of the promotion of cultural diversity and development policies. The points were divided into 7 categories:
· The relation between cultural policies and development
· Creativity, markets and cultural diversity
· Cultural diversity, indigenous peoples and local communities
· Participation of civil society in cultural policy
· Need for a Cultural Policy Observatory for the Americas
· Culture and its relation to other sectors
· Recommendations to the OAS
There were strong recommendations for an enforceable instrument that would provide a legal foundation for government measures supporting cultural diversity and requests that governments consider the possible ramifications of trade agreements on local cultures before making any commitments. Civil society representatives who made these points were reinforced by strong support from some government delegations, particularly from the Caribbean and Central America. Both groups felt that without creating a level playing field, there would be little chance of achieving progress in the development of cultures.
This coalescing of views between government and civil society was in sharp contrast to the formal opposition registered by the US delegation to the consideration of an instrument for cultural diversity. As the US has no Department of Culture, the delegation was comprised of representatives from the State Department, the US Mission to the OAS and hand-picked federal cultural agencies. They argued that, as cultural experts, they were not qualified to speak on trade matters, even as they pertain to culture and the cultural industries. They also made distinctions between the cultural industries and entertainment, and the non-profit cultural sector and the commercial cultural sector – distinctions that exist only in the US. Most other countries have only one cultural sector and opportunities for “profit” are limited by virtue of the domination of the market by the cultural productions of others.
Another recurring theme was the urgent need for consideration of the acceptable definitions of the terms used in the discussions. Ideas and concepts are viewed very differently from region to region (as evidenced by the US’s separation of culture and entertainment) and without consensus on the definitions, many felt progress is hindered.
The dialogue between civil society and government begun in Vancouver is a positive sign of the willingness of the OAS to engage all stakeholders in the discussion about cultural diversity and development policies. The difficulties will be in the cumbersome bureaucratic processes of the OAS and the lack of resources provided to the Department of Education and Social Policy at the OAS for implementing policies.
The INCD will work with other civil society groups to ensure there is informed NGO representation at the Summit of Ministers of Culture in Cartagena in July and that these meetings continue to operate in a democratic and inclusive fashion. This cooperation could prove to be the strongest tool we have for achieving consensus on the Convention on Cultural Diversity.
Alexis Andrew, INCD Administrator
and
James C. Early, INCD Steering Committee Member / Director, Cultural Heritage Policy, Smithsonian Institution
April 2002
2. La
Francophonie: Recent initiatives
Since the Cotonu Declaration on Cultural Diversity in June 2001, cultural diversity has occupied a central position in the International Organization of the Francophonie’s agenda. Recent initiatives by the Francophonie show their increasing dedication to fostering international cooperation around the protection of cultural and linguistic diversity.
On March 27, Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali spoke to the League of Arab States in Beirut and emphasized that the close ties between the two organizations are centered around “the promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity as well as democracy and justice on the international scene.” The Francophonie also just signed an accord on April 5 with the Organization of Ibero-American States to solidify their relationship, with special emphasis on cultural and linguistic diversity, inter-cultural cooperation as well as multi-lingual access to new communication. This agreement will effectively establish a large cultural and linguistic block covering French, Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries, leading to the broader protection of these regional cultures.
This emphasis on cultural diversity and exchange will continue during the Ninth Summit of the Francophonie, in Beirut in October of this year, as the heads of state gathered there will focus on the theme of inter-cultural dialogue.
4. Announcements
·
Call to members: Music, development and
globalization
Over the past few years, there have been significant changes in the world of music, ranging from the advent of Internet distribution systems, the integration of music into cultural development policies to the growth of the independent music recording industry. The next issue of the INCD’s newsletter will focus on how globalization has impacted upon the music industry.
INCD members are invited to submit brief descriptions (100 words max.) of projects and initiatives that reflect the changing nature of music in the global economy for inclusion in the newsletter. Of particular interest are projects that foster inter-cultural exchange and those that focus on the developing world and its rich musical heritage.
Submission date: May 3, 2002
Please send description to: incd@ccarts.ca
The INCD reserves the right to edit any submission.
·
Convention on Cultural Diversity
Reminder to members that comments on the Convention on Cultural Diversity should be sent to incd@ccart.ca. If you have had difficulties opening the online version (found under News & Events), please ask the Secretariat to send you a copy as an attachment.
· The INCD’s Third Annual Conference will take place Oct 11-13 2002 at the Centre for the Book in Cape Town, South Africa. This year’s theme is Fostering Cultural Diversity and Development: Local, National and Global Strategies. Registration material will be available online in a few weeks – for more information, please contact incd@ccarts.ca .
· Mexico, through the coordination of the Civic Council for Culture and the Arts of Morelos and the INCD, will hold the first Mexican Forum for Cultural Diversity.
Topics:
The Convention on Cultural Diversity
Culture and Globalization: Local and regional concerns
Cuernavaca, Morelos
July 5-7, 2002
For information, please contact:
incd@ccarts.ca or rsegovia1@yahoo.com.mx