Cultural Diversity Ministerial Forum of the Asia-Pacific Region May 9-11, 2012 Dhaka, Bangladesh

Transcription

1 Cultural Diversity Ministerial Forum of the Asia-Pacific Region May 9-11, 2012 Dhaka, Bangladesh Final Draft C O N C E P T P A P E R Introduction The Ministerial Forum of the Asia-Pacific Region on the UNESCO-Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions is organized by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of the Government of the People s Republic of Bangladesh with support from UNESCO and its International Fund for Cultural Diversity. The Director General of UNESCO, Ms. Irina Bokova, has confirmed her attendance. This High-Level conference will be held from 9 to 11 May 2012 in Dhaka, Bangladesh with a view to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cultural cooperation between countries in the region, encourage further ratification and implementation of the Convention at the country level. It will consist of opening and closing sessions, plenary sessions as well as panel discussions. The ministerial forum will be conducted in English. Background The 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 will offer 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. The conference process will also help to assess progress and gaps and address new and emerging challenges. 121 countries in the world have ratified the Convention so far. Bangladesh ratified the Convention on 31 May The Asia-Pacific region is well represented if one considers the percentage of world population, as large population countries like India, China and very recently Indonesia have ratified. But it is certainly under represented with only 12 countries (Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Mongolia, New Zealand, Repulic of Korea and Vietnam) on a total of 44 Asia-Pacific region member states. Many smaller countries in the Asia-Pacific region have not taken a decision yet. While all the 121 Parties cover about two thirds of the world s population, a more equitable, inclusive and balanced representation is strongly desired to make this Convention an universal instrument. This meeting will examine how to improve the situation. Objective The main objectives of this High-level Conference are to: 1. Have a substantial exchange on ongoing implementation initiatives in the different Asia-Pacific countries that have ratified the convention, regarding i.a. cultural policy and programmes and the involvement of stakeholders in their design;

2 creative industries, development strategies, funding schemes and other relevant issues; success, challenges and future action. 2. Identify the challenges and opportunities for cultural cooperation for development in the region. 3. Explore the possibility of establishing a network for collecting and sharing information and knowledge on policies for protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions to build up bilateral and multilateral relationships between countries in the region. 4. Clarify key concepts and objectives of specifically the 2005-Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, in order to understand the unique value and contribution of the Convention and how it distinguishes itself from the other UNESCO Culture Conventions. 5. Encourage more ratification in the Asia-Pacific Region through an exchange of experiences between countries that have/have not ratified the countries, including the derived benefits. Programme Outline The Conference will begin with an inaugural session, followed by plenary discussions among ministers/delegates of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Member States, experts and civil society representatives. Experts presentation and discussions will focus on the objectives of the Forum. Discussion session will be started with an Introduction of the subject by one or two eminent experts. The best practices of implementation of the Convention will be shared by State Parties to the Convention. Eight countries from the Asia-Pacific region will have tabled their first implementation reports to UNESCO by 30 April 2012 (Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Laos, India, Mongolia, New Zealand and Vietnam). There will be a joint statement at the end of the Forum, the Dhaka Declaration with a special call for strengthening cultural cooperation in a perspective of sustainable development in the region and calling for more ratifications of this particular Convention. Alongside the conference there will be an exhibition of art, posters, photographs and videos of cultural activities of the participating countries (Draft Programme-Annex-01). The host country will arrange for live cultural show in the evening. Participation Ministers for Culture/delegates along with two other officials/experts of each invited Asia- Pacific Member States of the UNESCO are expected to attend the Forum. The organizers will provide local hospitality (accommodation, food and local transportation) for three participants of each country. The airfare of the participants would be borne by their respective Member States.

3 (Under special circumstances, the organizers may consider covering the airfare) Countries interested to send more than three participants, may do so at their own expense. Countries in Asia Pacific Region States Ratified Afghanistan Australia Bangladesh New Zealand Cambodia China India Indonesia Republic of Korea PDR Lao Viet Nam Mongolia Bhutan Brunei Darussalam Cook Islands DPR Korea Fiji Iran Japan Kazakhstan Kiribati Kyrgyzstan Malaysia States Not yet Ratified Maldives Samoa Marshall Islands Singapore Micronesia Solomon Islands Myanmar Sri Lanka Nauru Thailand Nepal Timor-Leste Niue Tonga Pakistan Turkmenistan Palau Tuvalu Papua New Guinea Vanuatu Philippines Documentation: Necessary documents related to the Forum will be prepared and distributed in advance to the participants. A summary highlighting specific recommendations on the theme and the objective and reflecting views of participants will be issued after the Forum. The outcome will be transmitted to the Secretariat of the UNESCO. A web link for the conference will be hosted, and the registration form, documentation, statements and presentations will be posted there. Documents/Materials required from the Member States: Each Member State is requested to send a country paper within 1200 words in the light of the theme of the Conference by 15 March 2012 for publication. Member States will have the opportunity to exhibit their arts, posters, photographs and videos on diverse cultural activities in the Conference. Guideline for participation in the exhibition will be sent later. Focal Points: Each Member State is requested to designate one of its officials to act as the national focal point for this event and send his/her complete coordinates to the following; 01. Shyam Sunder Sikder Joint Secretary & Member Secretary Organising Committee Cultural Diversity Ministerial Forum (CDMF) ss.sikder@yahoo.com Cell No: , Monirul Islam Director General (East Asia & Pacific) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cell: Phone: RA Mahmud Selim Director (Music & Dance) Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy mahmudselim53@yahoo.com Cell No: , (cc. msali56@yahoo.com, das.ramchandra@googl .com, gcpona@gmail.com)

4 Expected Outcomes: 1. It will provide all Member States from the Asia-Pacific region with an opportunity to share, experience and benefit from examples how to best protect and promote cultural expressions which provide the basis of their colourful histories and diversified cultures. 2. It will expand the horizon of bilateral and multilateral cultural cooperation for development and open avenues for the exploration of future cultural as well as economic cooperation. 3. Countries will also benefit from the cross cultural exchange of experiences, lessons learned in the field of cultural policies and the creative economy and will discuss views and ideas regarding future activities. 4. Parties/non-Parties will have an opportunity to share experiences about the benefits of ratifications/implementation of the Convention that could lead to additional ratifications from the Asia-Pacific region before the 4 th Conference of Parties (June 2013). 5. A programme of such a scope and magnitude will no doubt enhance the image and dignity of the Asia-Pacific Region, including the host country, vis-à-vis the international community of State Parties protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions.

5 Tentative Programme ANNEX-1 Opening Session: Date: 9 May, 2012 Venue: Bangabadhu International Conference Centre (BICC) & Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel Date Time Events 09 May, 2012 Wednesday 10:00 hr - 13:00 hr Inaugural Function (The Programme will be inaugurated by Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, Honorable Prime Minister, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh as the Chief Guest where DG, UNESCO Ms. Irina Bokova will be present as the Guest of Honor). (Detail of the inaugural function will be informed in time). 13:00 hr - 14:00 hr Lunch break 14:30 hr - 16:30 hr The Convention: Hopes, Opportunities and Challenges by International Experts 19:30 hr - 20:30 hr Dinner offered by the Honorable Minister, Ministry of 10 May, 2012 Thursday 11 May, 2012 Friday Information and Ministry of Cultural Affairs. 09:30 hr Paper Presentation (to be specified) 11:00 hr Tea/ Coffee break 11:30 hr Paper Presentation (to be specified) 13:30 hr Lunch break 14:30 hr Paper Presentation (to be specified) 16:00 hr Tea/ Coffee Break 16:30 hr Exploring Future Relationships: Culture the Ultimate vector 17:30 hr Break 09:30 hr Meet the Challenges of Integrating Culture into the Development Agendas of Least Developed Countries by International Experts 10:30 hr Feedback from a representative of Countries who have ratified. Panelists: International & National Experts 11:00 hr Tea/ Coffee break 11:30 hr Feedback from Non-Ratifying Countries Panelists: International & National Experts 13:00-14:00 hr Lunch break 14:30 hr Presentation on Bangladesh: Bangladesh: A Land of Cultural Diversity. 16:00 hr Tea/ Coffee break 16:30 hr Dhaka Declaration 19:30 hr Cultural Show