2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions
Canada is one of the founding members of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in November 2005. This international agreement recognizes that cultural products and services are part of the economic sector but also convey identities, values and meaning. This is why it is so important to develop and implement national policies to support the cultural sector, including artists and the creative industries. The Convention also fosters international cooperation in the cultural field.
On this page
Canada's role
Canada is a strong defender of the sovereign right of states to protect their culture and cultural industries. It strives to promote the Convention in the many trade agreements it ratifies as well as in the international forums in which it participates.
By focusing on priorities such as international cooperation for a fair exchange of cultural goods and services and the implementation of the Convention in the digital environment, Canada is shaping the future of the global cultural landscape to protect the interests of its creative industries and artists, at home and abroad.
2024 Quadrennial Periodic Report
Parties to the Convention are committed to reporting every four years on their national and global implementation activities. As part of its 2020-2024 Quadrennial Periodic Report on the Implementation of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, Canada put forward measures and initiatives to address the main objectives of the 2005 Convention, namely to:
- support sustainable systems of governance for culture
- achieve a balanced flow of cultural goods and services and increase the mobility of artists and cultural professionals
- integrate culture in sustainable development frameworks
- promote human rights and fundamental freedoms
The reports of all signatory countries to the Convention serve to share good practices between countries and as a basis to produce a UNESCO global report every 4 years. The report is a worldwide reference in the field of cultural policies, providing strategic data and advocacy messaging on key issues for a more informed, participatory and transparent governance of the cultural and creative sectors.
Canadian initiatives
Canada's quadrennial report represents the efforts of many partners, including the provinces and territories, Canada's major cultural institutions, and civil society. It presents both national and international policies, programs and initiatives that support the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions. These initiatives are grouped under 7 main themes:
-
Normative and regulatory matters
To protect and promote cultural diversity, Canada has supported its creative industries and artists through laws and regulations that enable them to survive and thrive, particularly in the digital environment.
-
Diversity, equity and inclusion
The report outlines initiatives that promote the expression of Canada’s many cultural identities. It is important to note that Canadian cultural programs pay particular attention to Indigenous cultural expressions.
-
Youth and emerging creators
Measures that support the next generation of creators are essential to keeping our cultural expressions alive. To that end, a variety of initiatives have been implemented focusing particularly on youth.
-
Cultural promotion and tourism
Fostering local culture is essential to maintaining our cultural diversity. To that end, Canada has successfully undertaken significant tourism and community initiatives including those promoting local culture, especially language.
-
Business, research and innovation
Keeping cultural diversity alive depends on the economic health of all cultural sectors. Economic strategies that benefit creators and creative industries are backed by research and innovation.
-
Pandemic issues
The pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, in the face of which the creative industries showed unparalleled resilience. In response, Canada intensified its efforts to develop programs to support these industries during the pandemic years and beyond.
-
Creativity in the digital age
Artists face new opportunities and challenges in this era of rapid digital evolution. To help them take advantage of these changes, several initiatives and policies have emerged, especially around artificial intelligence, with the involvement of civil society.
Related links
- Canada and Quebec are co-organizing the first meeting of the UNESCO Group of Experts on the diversity of cultural expression in the digital environment
- Promoting our Cultures in the Digital Age – Report on the day of reflection, CDCE
- Canada and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)