Cultural Coalitions protect cultural diversity
Defining culture as a unique good means promoting its diversity and using it to oppose the dominant aspects of the capitalist world. It’s with this ideal in mind that the many Coalitions – entities created by civil society and government institutions – began the struggle, over 10 yeas ago, to keep culture safe from trade negotiations. Back then, the WTO (World Trade Organization) and other international trade entities, acted in ways that reduced cultural goods to simple consumer goods, forgetting that their main function is the expression and preservation of cultural identities.
It was this rebellion in favor of creativity and the preservation of cultural identities that allowed the Coalitions to flourish. After winning a major victory and being recognized by UNESCO thru the ratification of the “Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions”, in October, 2005, what was once a localized movement attained global influence. UNESCO adopted the notion that cultural diversity is a basic human right and a fundamental requirement for human freedom.
In doing so, UNESCO highlighted the importance of the Coalitions and the need to create social and economic conditions for the development of cultural diversity in every community. In the words of the President of the Brazilian Coalition, Geraldo Moraes: “Cultural diversity is substance of life”.
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Jorge Serrano and the Ecuadorian film industry: Ecuador stands out with a set of new policies to protect audiovisual works.
Abstract: The Head of the Ecuadorian Film Delegation explains the changes that have taken place in the countries’ audiovisual production in the last few years, detailing the difficulties facing the distribution of audiovisual works, the way local communit
Members of the Coalitions discuss Brazilian culture
The morning period this Friday also included a question and answer session with Márcio Meirelles and members of the International Coalitions.
Perspectives of diversity and cultural integration in Bahia
Even though the Minister of Culture, Juca Ferreira, was not able to attend the event this morning, we still had a great time promoting culture diversity and understanding between the peoples.
Protecting the Rights of Peoples
Secretary Américo Córdula participated in the opening of the International Meeting on Cultural Diversity
“The concept of cultural diversity has become synonymous, in the last couple of years, with the need to protect the rights of peoples. Its an ample c
Cultural identity: how to avoid homogenization?
One of the founding goals of the Coalitions has been to take a stand against the homogenizing nature of the dominant culture. The movement was born in France during the late nineties, when the French deiced to take actions against what they perceived to
Cultural Coalitions protect cultural diversity
Defining culture as a unique good means promoting its diversity and using it to oppose the dominant aspects of the capitalist world. It’s with this ideal in mind that the many Coalitions – entities created by civil society and government institutions – be
Interview: Geraldo Moraes, President of the Brazilian Coalition
The first one relates to the approval of the UNESCO Convention. We are working so that this document becomes an effective instrument in promoting diversity and starts to be taken seriously during the negotiations of bilateral or multilateral treaties.
Interview: Rasmane Ouedraogo, President of the International Federation for Cultural Diversity
Even thou the number of national Coalitions is growing (the most recent being the one from Djibouti) there’s still a lot of work to be done in promoting the spread of Coalitions in some regions such as Asia and the middle-east. There are presently coaliti
