Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today announced that from October 2 to 3, he will lead the Canadian delegationparticipating in the 32nd General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO). The Conference will take place in Paris, France, from September 29 to October 17. Its major focus will be onexamining the issue of an international convention on cultural diversity."Canada strongly supports the proposal to negotiate a UNESCO convention on the diversity of cultural content and artisticexpression," said Minister Graham. "Such a convention would promote openness to the diverse cultural influences andproducts that the world has to offer, while at the same time ensuring that the multiple voices of a country can be heard."At the General Conference, participants will develop UNESCO programs and activities for the next two years, and adopt abudget for 2004-2005. Other items that will be discussed include a draft Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage, anInternational Declaration on Human Genetic Data, and a proposal for an International Anti-doping Convention in Sport.Advanced Education and Training Minister for Manitoba, Diane McGifford, representing the Council of Ministers ofEducation of Canada, will speak on behalf of Canadian education authorities at the Education Commission, and will alsoattend the ministerial round table on the quality of education.In Paris, Minister Graham will also address the Canada-France Chamber of Commerce on October 3, where he willhighlight the close cooperation between the two countries in a broad range of areas related to cultural diversity.- 30 -For further information, media representatives may contact:Isabelle SavardDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Foreign Affairs(613) 995-1851Media Relations OfficeDepartment of Foreign Affairs and International Trade(613) 995-1874http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 - 1999 - 1998 - 1997 - 1996 Print friendly version Last Updated:2003-12-12 Top of page Important Notices
