About the 2005 UNESCO Convention
The UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, entering force in March 2007, provides a new global framework for the affirmation of cultural diversity, emphasising that "cultural diversity forms a common heritage of humanity and should be cherished and preserved for the benefit of all". The Commonwealth Foundation maintains a particular interest in facilitating dialogue on the UNESCO Convention because since November 2007 it has been outlined as an issue of primary concern for Commonwealth civil society.
One crucial article of the Convention - Article 11 - acknowledges "the fundamental role of civil society in protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions". With this in mind, the Commonwealth Foundation hosted in March 2008 a high-level seminar between Commonwealth civil society and governments on the theme of 'Sharing Strengths: Commonwealth and Francophone engagement with the UNESCO Cultural Convention'. Amongst the key findings and recommendations, it was recognised that there remains a need to raise awareness of the Convention.
The 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions is not, of course, the only important UNESCO Convention. In particular, the 2005 Convention can only be understood properly in the context of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and previous Conventions focussing on safeguarding of tangible heritage.
Although 'cultural expressions' are associated primarily with the creative industries and cultural 'practitioners', the Convention is nevertheless quick to emphasise the implications of protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions for economic, social and human development.
The Convention therefore serves as a natural departure point for the Commonwealth Foundation's research on culture's relationship with development, and looks set in coming years to continue to be a defining reference point to all those who would consider cultural policy as a possible means of enhancing development.
Please see below for relevant documents and updated news on the Commonwealth Foundation's work on facilitating dialogue on the Convention.
The report from the seminar, entitled 'Sharing Strengths: Commonwealth and Francophone Engagement with the UNESCO Cultural Convention', can now be downloaded from the bottom of this page.
Click here to view the external UNESCO web resource on the Convention.
