Promoting cultural diversity, a worldwide collection of good practices
It has already been five years since the UNESCO Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions came into force. The good practice guide "Mapping cultural diversity" examines the implementation of the UNESCO Convention by collecting 39 practices from around the globe. "Mapping cultural diversity" illustrates innovative and sustainable projects from cities and regions which promote the diversity of cultural expressions. It also outlines the interaction between policies and practices in reaching the objectives of the UNESCO Convention. All actors on local, regional, national and international level are involved and stimulate cultural activities in the fields of media, education, creative industries and research.
An inspirational guideline for cultural policy development
Many local practitioners are seeking for ways to put the objectives of UNESCO’s Convention into practice. Therefore, the German Commission for UNESCO (DUK), the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and experts from the Cultural Diversity 2030 U40 Programme published this guide. The organisations have selected useful and tangible examples applicable for each policy-maker. In terms of knowledge utilisation, these case studies provide tools for effective aid planning, policy making, networking and cooperation.
The selection of the practices started at the Second Conference of the U40-world Forum in Paris, where 60 experts from 34 countries presented inspiring case studies from their regions. The U40 (Under 40ies) “Cultural diversity 2030”programme was set up by the German Commission for UNESCO in the framework of the German EU presidency (2007). It encourages young experts from around the world to participate in educational and public awareness programmes to protect cultural diversity as stated in the UNESCO Convention (2005).
Cultural expressions in different contexts
“Mapping cultural diversity” starts with a legal framework, explaining key articles 9 and 10 of the UNESCO Convention which indicate that all governments should have the right and obligation to share, analyse, disseminate and exchange information. The legal framework outlines methods how to embed these articles into measures and policies in order to reach cultural diversity. The publication continues with the practices divided into six areas of the convention:
- policy measures, programmes and structures;
- protection and promoting cultural expressions;
- international cooperation;
- capacity building;
- culture and development;
- information sharing, exchange and analysis.
In addition, it presents an analysis of the involved actors per
practice such as public-private partnership, civil
society, governmental institutions et cetera.
The online platform "Culture360"
Culture360 disseminates the case studies described in “Mapping cultural diversity” and many other cultural practices. The platform is an initiative of ASEF and connects cultural communities of Asia and Europe. The portal exchanges best practices on arts and culture and invites individuals to share information. Recently, it has been updated with the latest social media tools.
Contact information
German Commission for UNESCO (DUK)
Colmantstr. 15, 53115 Bonn, Germany
Tel. +49 (0) 228 6 04 97-0
Fax +49 (0) 228 6 04 97-30
sekretariat@unesco.de
Website: www.unesco.de
Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)
31 Heng Mui Keng Terrace
Singapore 119595
Tel. +65 6874 9700
Fax: +65 6872 1135
info@asef.org
Website: www.asef.org
Culture360
info@culture360.org
Website: http://culture360.org/
Publication date
29 November 2010
Document type
Practice
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