OTTAWA, June 20, 2007 - The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, is delighted at the election of Canada to the Intergovernmental Committee formed under the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Canada's election occurred during the first session of the Conference of Parties to the Convention, which is taking place today and tomorrow at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
"Canada's election to the Intergovernmental Committee bears witness to the unstinting work performed by the federal government with the Government of Quebec, the provinces and territories, and civil society to promote the diversity of cultural expressions around the world," said Minister Oda. "As a member of the Committee, Canada intends to continue working together with its partners to ensure that the Convention is implemented quickly and effectively. I am also proud to note that Member Parties have accepted Canada's offer to host the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee in Ottawa."
The first session of the Conference of Parties is taking place at UNESCO headquarters in Paris from June 18 to 20, 2007. More than 60 Signatory States, including Canada, have been invited to participate in this meeting. Under the Canada-Quebec Agreement Concerning UNESCO, which was signed on May 5, 2006, the Government of Canada is pleased to note the participation of the Government of Quebec within the Canadian delegation. The agreement gives a formal role to Quebec in this important international forum by providing for the Government of Quebec to have a permanent representative on Canada's permanent delegation to UNESCO.
The Intergovernmental Committee, consisting of representatives of 24 Party States to the Convention, is mandated to promote the Convention and undertake follow-up of its implementation. The election of Canada will enable it to work with other Committee members to establish the International Fund for Cultural Diversity, which will help to achieve the objectives of the Convention. Canada has stated that it intends to contribute to the Fund once it is established.
The UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions is an international legal instrument that recognizes the dual social and economic nature of cultural goods and services such as books, films, and television programs. It reaffirms the right of countries to implement cultural policies to give their citizens access to their own stories, as well as the range of cultural contents of the entire world. It also recognizes the right of States to adopt measures that encourage artists and cultural professionals to develop and promote their works.
The Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions was adopted at the 33rd session of the UNESCO General Conference. Canada was the first Member State to accept it. The Convention came into force on March 18, 2007. It now has 62 Signatory States on five continents.
Information:Véronique Bruneau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Status of Women
819 997-7788
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
