Ottawa, August 20, 2004 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Liza Frulla will lead the Canadian delegation to the Second Inter-American Meeting of Ministers of Culture in Mexico City, Mexico, on August 23 and 24, 2004. Ministers will discuss the role culture plays in social development and economic integration in the Americas. Quebec Minister of Culture and Communication Line Beauchamp will also be part of the Canadian delegation.Canada's three main goals at this meeting are as follows:- to advocate for the development of a rules-based UNESCO Convention on cultural diversity- to build an effective long-term inter-American dialogue on cultural policy that will lead to positive and practical collaboration- to enhance cooperation on cultural policy for the developing world"Culture and identity are at the heart of today's major debates. The issue is huge--it's about participating in a movement of globalization while at the same time affirming our cultures, without which our identities would weaken and our world would become more and more uniform," said Minister Frulla.Together with the provinces, territories, and civil society, the Government of Canada has taken significant steps to strengthen our heritage and cultural sectors both at home and abroad. The Government of Canada hopes to establish close ties with other governments in the Americas to enhance the ability of each one to highlight their respective cultures and identities."We must continue our efforts to ensure that each country has the right to encourage expression of its culture and identity in the context of globalization," added Minister Frulla.Canada has been at the forefront of international efforts to advance cultural diversity through the International Network on Cultural Policy, La Francophonie, and the Organization of American States, as well as within UNESCO.At the Meeting of Ministers of Culture, Minister Frulla will defend Canadian interests with her principal counterparts from the United States, Brazil and Mexico. She will also deliver a keynote address at the plenary session on Challenges Faced by Cultural Industries."I am proud that Canada continues to be a champion of cultural diversity. We must persist in our long-standing efforts to ensure a place for Canadian cultural products in the domestic and global marketplaces," said Minister Frulla.Ministers will review the progress made on cultural cooperation in the hemisphere since the first inter-American meeting was held in Colombia in 2002, under the auspices of the Organization of American States. Together, they will develop a declaration and action plan that they will adopt to increase inter-American cooperation on cultural policy.Minister Frulla will be available for interviews before and during the meeting. For information, please contact the Minister's office at the number listed below.Information:Linda KristalDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Canadian Heritage(819) 997-7788 MILESTONES ON CULTURAL DIVERSITYUNESCO Intergovernmental Conference, Stockholm, Sweden - 1998The Stockholm Action Plan on Cultural Policies for Development is adopted, including commitment to promote the idea that cultural goods and services should be fully recognized and treated as unlike other forms of merchandise.First Ministerial Meeting in Ottawa, Canada - June 1998Ministers establish the International Network on Cultural Policy (INCP) as a way for national Ministers Responsible for Culture to explore the wide-ranging issues of cultural diversity in an increasingly globalized world.Cultural Industries Sectoral Advisory Group on International Trade - 1999The Group's report calls for an International Convention on the Protection of the Diversity of Cultural Contents and Artistic Expression.31st Session of the General Conference at UNESCO - October 2001The UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity is adopted unanimously by the 185 Member States.Fifth Ministerial Meeting in Cape Town, South Africa - October 2002The INCP Working Group on Cultural Diversity and Globalization presents a draft of an International Convention on Cultural Diversity for consideration by Ministers.Meeting of UNESCO Member States - October 2003Members give the Director General the mandate to develop a draft International Convention for the Protection of the Diversity of Cultural Contents and Artistic Expressions to submit to the 2005 General Conference.Future HighlightsUNESCO Intergovernmental Meeting in Paris, France September 20-25th, 2004The first in a series of meetings to negotiate the Convention.International Network on Cultural Policy meeting, Shanghai, China October 14-16, 2004
