Latest news with #ConventionontheProtectionandPromotionoftheDiversityofCulturalExpressions
Cision Canada
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Minister Guilbeault defends Canada's cultural sovereignty in the digital age and calls for international cooperation during UNESCO conference Français
As UNESCO celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the Government of Canada stresses the growing importance of protecting Canadian culture and identity in a digital environment PARIS, June 20, 2025 /CNW/ - The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, made the following statement at the 10th session of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris from June 18 to 20, 2025: "We are proud to mark the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Canada is deeply attached to the values of this Convention and is proud to be one of its founding countries. For 20 years, it has guided us in the development of innovative cultural policies that serve our artists and creative sectors. The world has changed a great deal since 2005. We are facing new challenges everywhere, but also new opportunities as the digital shift—particularly the phenomenal rise of artificial intelligence—revolutionizes our societies, including our cultural and media sectors. Canada will always strongly defend the right of states to protect their culture. Today we are making a call to strengthen international cooperation to ensure digital governance in accordance with the principles of the 2005 Convention. In the past few days, we have worked with a number of countries in order to move forward collectively in a context where the urgency to act is clear: the digital world must evolve in a way that fully supports our cultural diversity. Canada has already taken several steps to ensure that our laws and cultural programs reflect digital reality. We have acted to promote local content, while requiring Web giants to contribute fairly and support our artists, creative professionals and media—because we firmly believe that strong cultural and media sectors are essential for a strong Canada. In light of the discussions that took place during this conference, we hear the plea of Canadian civil society and of our partner of choice at UNESCO, the Government of Quebec. We are continuing our close collaboration with Quebec, civil society and several Parties to the Convention to implement the recommendations to protect cultural diversity in the digital environment that were presented to UNESCO in February 2025 by a group of international experts. Canada supports the decisions made during the Conference today by the 160 signatory countries, which will support the ongoing implementation of the Convention in the digital age. The updating of digital operational guidelines and ongoing reflection on an additional protocol to the Convention will make it possible to take action now while considering other long-term solutions. This is why I applaud the ongoing, important work of the countries signatory to the Convention, the Government of Quebec, other provinces and territories, Indigenous communities and civil society. Canada will continue to be a strong voice at the international level to protect and promote creative and cultural industries, both at home and abroad, so that they can take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the digital shift."
Qatar Tribune
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Culture ministry marks 20th anniversary of 2005 Convention on Protection, Promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expressions
QNA Doha The Ministry of Culture on Wednesday celebrated the 20th anniversary of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. The event, which marks the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, commemorated globally on May 21 each year, was organised in collaboration with the UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen and the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science at Bayt Al Hikma Hall within the ministry's premises. Throughout the celebration, the ministry presented a broad spectrum of programmes aligned with the implementation of the convention, alongside a series of engaging sessions conducted with the participation of UNESCO Regional Office and Qatar National Commission. Assistant Undersecretary for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Ali said the ministry celebrates this day in recognition of cultural diversity, which constitutes a fundamental dimension in fostering dialogue among civilisations and cultures. This diversity is intrinsically linked to unwavering efforts aimed at developing cultural policies that bolster national creative production and position cultural industries as a vehicle for its protection, Dr. Al Ali highlighted. Dr. Al Ali added that Qatar has given special attention to cultural diversity and considered it part of its national challenges, emphasising that the nation strives to achieve this diversity through the Qatar National Vision 2030, in recognition of the fact that supporting this diversity is a vehicle for forging peace in the world. 'Cultural diversity is a source of unlocking human innovation in multiple fields, as it leads to the entwinement of culture with development. The nation has sought to empower this diversity within the Qatari community through the ministry-led role, which considers it as one of the key concerns of the Qatari community,' Dr. Al Ali noted. He highlighted that Qatar regards cultural differences as sources of societal enrichment and catalysts for the advancement of intellectual and creative capacities, for diversity enables not only the imparting of knowledge but also the sharing of lived experience. 'This diversity is an added value to the national identity, and there is no fear for an identity that stands on solid ground, as long as it believes in itself and values open dialogue with those who show respect for its culture,' he said, adding that this is exactly what the Qatari community has recognised since the days of the founding generation. Qatar has long been a welcoming place for people of all nationalities and cultures, and its people have always embraced others with open arms, holding fast to the belief that tolerance is the key to living peacefully among diverse nations, he underlined. Dr. Al Ali affirmed that cultural diversity is not a mere slogan but a lived reality embraced by society, one that the ministry actively seeks to reinforce, grounded in its conviction that cultural particularities serve as a vital bulwark against the forces of globalisation. 'The ministry affirms the capacity of culture to propel economic advancement and foster social cohesion. In pursuit of these objectives, a wide range of cultural initiatives has been launched both at home and abroad, with the Ministry working to activate cultural diversity through cultural weeks and the organisation of events for expatriate communities,' he highlighted. The recent conclusion of the Doha International Book Fair, one of the largest cultural events, embodies the nation's vision for cultural diversity. Work should consistently proceed to reinforce this diversity across all cultural platforms, ensuring that every single cultural domain reflects it and contributes meaningfully to sustainable development. Secretary-General of the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science Ali Abdulrazzaq Al Marafi stated that the Convention constitutes a pivotal milestone in international efforts to safeguard cultural diversity. He emphasised that the Convention reflects a shared vision aimed at promoting cultural pluralism as a foundational pillar of sustainable development. Building upon Qatar's unwavering commitment to these principles, he affirmed that Qatar's accession to the Convention stands as a clear testament to its dedication to advancing culture and affirming its pivotal role in cultivating a vibrant and dynamic community. He underscored the Commission's instrumental role in promoting awareness of this Convention and supporting its national implementation through coordination with relevant entities and the preparation of periodic reports. Al Marafi commended the ministry and national stakeholders for the latest report, reaffirming Qatar's commitment to cultural development. He highlighted the importance of global partnerships, particularly with UNESCO, in advancing the Convention's objectives. UNESCO Representative to the Gulf States and Yemen and Director of the UNESCO Office in Doha Dr. Salah Khaled affirmed that this celebration is not merely a commemoration but a recognition of major achievements and a reaffirmation of the collective commitment to a culture that embraces diversity, fosters creativity, and advances dialogue among peoples. Dr. Khaled added that since its adoption in October 2005, the Convention has served as a global framework for safeguarding cultural identities and reaffirming the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and UNESCO's Declaration on Cultural Diversity. 'The Convention has empowered communities and cultural practitioners worldwide. Since ratifying the Convention in February 2009, Qatar has remained committed to advancing its principles through ambitious cultural projects, international partnerships, and a vision that positions culture as a driver of sustainable development and a bridge to peace,' he said. Dr. Khaled noted that over the past two decades, the concept of cultural protection has undergone a profound transformation. Since 2005, he added, UNESCO has worked with over 159 countries, including Qatar, to convert the convention's principles into concrete programmes. The International Fund for Cultural Diversity has been created, along with the launch of the Creative Cities Network, which now includes over 300 cities worldwide, he highlighted. He affirmed that Doha joined the network in 2021 in the field of design, in recognition of Qatar's efforts to promote culture and creativity as part of its sustainable urban development
