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1 | Page UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion Of UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Cultural Diversity Expressions Report Southern Cross Conference Room- Suva Fiji 29-30 th May 2013 Prepared by: Department of National Heritage, Culture and Arts 1 | P a g e Table of Contents No: Workshop Particular(s) Page(s) 1 Overview of the Workshop 3 2 Day: 1 – 29 th May 2013 4-5 Official Opening of the National Consultation Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture and Arts -Ambassador Filipe Bole 3 Presentation: 1 Overview of UNESCO and 2005 Convention 6 -UNESCO Programme Specialist for Culture, Dr. Akatsuki Takahasi 4 Presentation:2 International Federation of Coalitions for Culture 6-7 Diversity (IFCCD) IFCCD Secretary General Mr. Charles Vallerand 5 Group Breakout Session & Presentation: 1 UNESCO 2005 8-9 Convention Articles 6 Industry Presentation(s):1 10 -13 Ministry of Industry and Trade,Fiji Arts Council,Fiji Intellectual Property Office,Ministry for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation 7 Closing of Day Ones Proceeding 13 - 14 8 Day: 2 – 30 th May 2013 Recapitulating of Day: 1 Proceedings 15-18 9 Industry Presentation(s):2 19 - 27 iTaukei Trust Fund, National Centre for Small Micro Enterprise Development (NCSMED), Film Fiji, Rabi Council, Pacific Island Private Sector Organisation, Fiji Conservatorium of Music, 10 Presentation 3: Cultural Industries & UNESCO 2005 Convention 28 -34 UNESCO 2005 Convention Technical Expert, Ms. Helene George 11 Presentation 4: International Fund f or Cultural Diversity (IFCD): 34 -36 Dr. Akatsuki Takahasi 12 Group Breakout Session & Presentation 2 - Application for IFCD 36 - 40 13 Industry Presentation(s):3 41 -48 Fiji Rotuman Association, Ministry of Education-Curriculum Advisory Unit/Technical Vocational Unit, Fiji Fashion Week Ltd, Fiji Performing Rights Limited, Vou Dance Group 14 UNESCO 2005 Convention – The Way Forward 48 -49 Closing of the two days workshop 15 Photo Gallery 50 -52 Appendices Financial Report 2 | P a g e OVERVIEW The UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (October 2005) has potential to enhance international cultural cooperation for development. This cooperation offers a timely opportunity for the international community to renew political commitment for protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions designed to lead to sustainable development. With the theme “Cultural Diversity-Impetus For A Dynamic And Sustainable Development”, the Ministry of Education’s Department of National Heritage, Culture and Arts facilitated a two day National Consultation on the UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Cultural Expressions from the 29- 30 th May 2013 (Programme attached as Appendix 1) . Objectives: At the end of the two days workshop participants are expected to: i. Understand the UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions; ii. Share knowledge on how their respective organisations are protecting and promoting diversity of cultural expressions and identify the various challengers experienced and offer solutions or probable solutions to these challengers; iii. Familiarise themselves with the International Fund for Cultural Diversity application; and iv. Identify the way forward for Fiji’s ratification of the UNESCO 2005 Convention. 3 | P a g e Summary of Presentations and Discussions Day: 1- 29 May 2013 Opening by the Minister for Education National Heritage Culture & Arts, Honorable Ambassador Filipe Bole The Honorable Minister highlighted the importance of the link between culture and education and its role in enhancing our identity and creativity. He stated that there needed to be a consolidated effort to ensure that opportunities are capitalized and not missed through a lack of accessibility or effective information sharing. There were current initiatives being implemented under the Ministry to strengthen the teaching of culture into the curriculum and to have a national review of the education system to consider culture. The Honorable Minister stated that there is a strong recognition that culture is a vector for development and that it needs to be taken seriously as a potential contributor to our economy. The National Consultation is timely, as it has been convened, alongside the current development of a National Cultural Policy with SPC and the Department of Culture. The ratification of the Convention will further support the implementation of the Cultural Policy. The Honorable Minister made a request to the participant that there needed to be in depth consultation and that there were questions that needed to be asked over the next few days some of which include: • Whether the Convention will strengthen sustainable development and ensure cultural diversity? • Although there is a huge potential for the cultural industries to drive economic growth, how will ratification address our current challenges such as the lack of coordination and communication between stakeholders? 4 | P a g e • The cultural industries are informal and disorganized, how will the convention help us address these issues? • What is the impact on the industry in ratifying the convention? • What is the likelihood of receiving technical and financial assistance? • What are the financial implications of ratification? The key aim of this consultation is to understand the Convention, and to ensure that through the Convention we can create an enabling environment for the cultural industry. If the implementation of the Convention will benefit our communities financially, drive growth in the sector, while also ensuring that our knowledge and skills continue to be practiced and transferred through our communities, then government will make that commitment and provide the necessary support. The importance of the next two days is to scrutinize the Convention to ensure we are able to make an informed decision. (Full Minister’s Speech attached as Appendix 2) Garlanding of Chief Guest and UNESCO Experts (L-R: UNESCO 2005 Convention Technical Expert Ms. Helene George, Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture & Arts Ambassador Filipe Bole, UNESCO Programme Specialist for Culture, Dr. Akatsuki Takahasi) 5 | P a g e Presentation: 1 Dr. Akatsuki Takahashi, UNESCO Culture Expert Samoa Dr. Akatsuki Takahashi gave an overview of UNESCO and an introduction to the 2005 Convention and outlined that the cultural and creative industries in the Pacific are rapidly expanding and presenting potential for transformative impact on the regions economy. At present several trade agreements are in place, which have both positive and negative implications. While these agreements allow access and mobility, they also encourage foreign imports, which can weaken local SMEs. The Key focus of the Convention is to enable and facilitate cultural diversity. The National Consultation is a chance to discuss a way forward for sustainable growth of the cultural and creative industries in Fiji including Fiji’s position on the 2005 Convention. Dr. Takahashi briefed participants on the various Articles of the Convention in order to lay the foundation for the following presentations and discussions. (Refer to Appendix 3 for Dr. Akatsuki Takahashi’s presentation.) Presentation: 2 Mr. Charles Vallerand, Secretary General International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (IFCCD) Mr. Vallerand stated that the International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity is a coalition of civil society groups, artists, creators, and technicians in the field of arts and culture from poets to multi media producers. There are currently approximately 33 professional organisations in the Canadian coalition and about 43 national coalitions around the world. The Convention negotiations started when globalisation had emerged and this was becoming a major issue particularly for developing nations. While there was a strong movement to develop economies and to open up markets, there was also increasingly dialogue about the need to be aware of the fragile balance between free trade, and the rights and access to culture and communities. Mr. Vallerand remarked that the Convention is becoming established, but implementing the instrument is now the challenge. Targets and ensuring achievements is a challenge. Other key challenges include: 6 | P a g e • Convincing the international community to engage culture in ‘mainstream’ agenda for poverty reduction, gender balance, and positive action for women, etc. and ensuring culture is considered as an enabler and a facilitator. • Intergenerational conversation and communication and ensure that we protect our heritage, language and ancestral knowledge while also including culture as a job and income generator, that develops communities through cultural economies. Mr. Vallerand informed the National Consultation that the key focus areas for coalitions worldwide have been: • Status of the artist; • Mobility and access; and • Social inclusion and freedom of expression. The Convention is open and flexible and allows countries to address their own challenges and issues and to implement the Convention according to each nations own levels of development. (Mr. Vallerand’s presentation appended as Appendix 4) 7 | P a g e Break out session 1 Update: Articles of the UNESCO 2005 Convention The UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the most recent of the UNESCO’s cultural convention provides an innovative and flexible framework which
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