Recommendation on the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions

IRIS 2006-3:1/4

Mara Rossini

Institute for Information Law (IViR), University of Amsterdam

On 1 February 2006, the Committee of Ministers adopted a Recommendation inviting Council of Europe member states to “ratify, accept, approve or accede” to the UNESCO Convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions (see IRIS 2005-10: 2).

This Convention, adopted at UNESCO's 33rd session, reaffirms the sovereign right of states to formulate and implement their cultural policies and to adopt measures to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions. It underlines the importance of international and regional cooperation, as well as the input of civil society. The aim is essentially to foster conditions conducive to the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions and to facilitate dialogue on cultural policy which could involve regulatory measures, financial assistance, the establishment of and support to public institutions and steps to enhance media diversity (through for example public service broadcasting).

The Committee of Ministers highlights the fact the objectives and guiding principles of this UNESCO Convention coincide with those set out in a number of Council of Europe instruments relating to culture and the media.

The Recommendation concludes that the Committee of Ministers not only welcomes this Convention as an addition to the already existing instruments which contribute to enhancing freedom of expression but that it will also encourage its implementation.

The UNESCO Convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions will enter into force after ratification, acceptance, approval or accession by thirty states or regional economic integration organisations.