2010 Cultural Policy Themes

Culture and Development

Placing culture at the heart of development policy constitutes an essential investment in the world's future and a pre-condition to successful globalisation processes that take into account the principles of cultural diversity.

Creative Industries

Throughout the world creative industries possess a natural economic potential and an implicit capacity to foster cultural diversity in the global market. In the transition towards modern knowledge-based economies, creative industries have become increasingly important components of national economies and global trade.

The Nairobi Plan of Action on Cultural Industries: A civil society response

The 2005 Nairobi Plan of action on African cultural industries was prepared as a review of The Dakar Plan of Action (1992) which was prepared in the spirit of World Decade for Cultural Development (1988-1997) and the Treaty of Abuja (June 1991) establishing the African Economic Community (Protocol on Culture and African Cultural Common Market: Article 70, Chapter XII: Education, Training and Culture). This review was done in preparation for the First Edition of the Pan-African Congress and Fifth Session of the Conference of African Ministers of Culture 2005. It was readopted at the second conference of African Ministers of Culture held in Algiers in 2008. Having realised how important the civil society is in the implementation of the policy document, the Arterial Network organised its second conference under the theme “Advancing the rights and status of African artists through the Nairobi Plan of Action on Cultural Industries”. We are convinced that indeed the Nairobi Plan represents an opportunity for civil society organisations to promote their interests and better conditions for artists working and living in African countries.

Culture and Climate Change

Climate change, sustainability and environment are among the most pressing global issues of concern. They are on the top of the agenda in global international relations, and are becoming the forefront topics of dialogue. The awareness of climate change and what it really means for an ordinary person is still rather vague. For most of the people climate change is an abstract concept. The question that remains unanswered is ‘How can arts & culture offer new ways to understand this new reality?’

Cultural Diversity

On 20 October 2005 the Unesco General Conference adopted the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which was negotiated jointly by the European Commission, on behalf of the Community, and the Council Presidency, on behalf of the Member States. The Convention is the first of its kind in international relations, as it enshrines a consensus that the international community has never before reached on a variety of guiding principles and concepts related to cultural diversity. This text forms the basis of a new pillar of world governance in cultural matters. The Unesco Convention sets out common rules, principles and points of reference for cultural diversity at global level. It is the first time the international community has been able to reach such a consensus on these questions. The text makes a considerable contribution to recognising the role and legitimacy of public policies in protecting and promoting cultural diversity, to recognising the importance of international cooperation and promoting this to deal with cultural vulnerabilities, especially in developing countries, and to defining appropriate links with other international instruments that enable the Convention to be implemented effectively. Moreover, the Convention represents a new platform for tackling culture in the wider context of sustainable development. Link: http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/05/387&format=HTML&aged=1&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual property rights (IPRs) are at the centre of several current policy debates, both nationally and internationally, ranging from music piracy and geographical indications in wine labelling to generic alternatives for patented pharmaceuticals. In order to engage in these debates, a thorough understanding of the pros and cons of the various IPRs as well as their alternatives is essential. Professor John Barton, Commission Chair and George E. Osborne Professor of Law, Stanford University note that, “developed countries often proceed on the assumption that what is good for them is likely to be good for developing countries…they (developing countries) participate in global intellectual property systems as 'second comers' in a world that has been shaped by 'first comers,' It is high time that we debate these issues in Africa and set our own rules to govern intellectual property so that we protect our creativity. Link: http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/2002/october/ip.htm

Intercultural dialogue and cultural diplomacy

Cultural diplomacy is a domain of diplomacy concerned with establishing, developing and sustaining relations with foreign states by way of culture, art and education. It is also a proactive process of external projection in which a nation’s institutions, value system and unique cultural personality are promoted at a bilateral and multilateral level. It is a two-Way Avenue where, while trying to nurture a favorable perception of our country’s national ideals and policies with foreign audiences, we should never fail to recognise the cultural identity of the target nation. This includes psychology, mentality, way of life, customs, traditions and history. The success of cultural diplomacy is dependent on intercultural dialogue and mutual respect. Link: http://textus.diplomacy.edu/textusBin/BViewers/oview/culturaldiplomacy/oview.asp