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Prof Kader Asmal Elected as Chairman
of International Meeting of Experts to consider Draft
Convention on Cultural Diversity
On 20 September 2004, Prof Kader Asmal, South Africa's
former Minister of Education, was elected Chairman of
the First Intergovernmental Meeting of Experts on the
Draft Convention on the Protection of the Diversity
of Cultural Contents and Artistic Expressions at UNESCO's
Head Quarters in Paris.
This represents another significant feather in South
Africa's diplomatic cap, recognising not only the country's
political influence in international organisations but
also the negotiation and technical skills of its representatives
in addressing particularly thorny international issues.
Following his nomination by the Africa Group, Prof
Asmal was unanimously elected by the meeting to lead
it in its difficult task of reviewing a preliminary
draft of the envisaged ground-breaking Convention on
Cultural Diversity. The challenges are huge. Part of
UNESCO's mission is the defence of the "fruitful
diversity of cultures". Following the adoption
of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity
in November 2001, member states wanted to examine the
feasibility of drafting a binding normative instrument
that would address the concrete threats to cultural
diversity in the era of globalisation and to fill a
gap in international law.
The text that will be reviewed recognises the dual
nature - cultural and economic - of cultural goods and
services, and identifies measures that should be identified
by member states in order to ensure the promotion and
protection of the diversity of cultural contents and
artistic expressions.
Based on such as principles as human rights, freedom
of expression, the equal dignity of cultures, co-operation
and international solidarity, the draft text insists
on the link between cultural diversity, dialogue and
development, and affirms that the cultural aspects of
development are just important as the economic ones.
In his address to the opening session, Prof Asmal highlighted
the importance of the international community having
gathered to debate a cultural treaty that will result
in the growth of dignity and self-confidence for individuals
and communities and genuine co-operation between states.
He referred to the Convention on Cultural Diversity
as a new type of peace treaty that will open new horizons
for millions of people. He felt that the real excitement
was that the debate should concern developing and developed
countries alike, for the simple reason that culture
is a common heritage of humanity. It must therefore
be considered as a public good and an adequate environment
must be created for it to flourish.
Coming from a country that was not so long ago on the
verge of self-destruction, the newly elected Chairman
said he knew too well the consequences of not reaching
consensus. However, his experience of working on South
Africa's constitution gave him hope that the impossible
could be attained.
The First Intergovernmental Meeting of Experts on the
Convention on Cultural Diversity continues in Paris
until 25 September.
For further enquiries contact Marius Conradie +33 (0)1
53 59 23 70
Issued on behalf of the South African Embassy in
Paris by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
21 September 2004
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