Release from the INCD — Cultural Diversity: Encouraging Human Development
The 6th Annual Meeting of the International Network for Cultural Diversity, to be held 17–20
November 2005 in Dakar, Senegal, is taking place a crucial time.
Shortly before, UNESCO is expected to approve the terms of the Convention on cultural diversity
that has been at the forefront of the INCD’s work since its first meeting in 2000. We will look at
the results. But, even the most effective Convention, while an essential foundation, will not bring
diversity. Achieving greater cultural diversity requires the development of cultural capacity and
creative industries and more balance in the global exchange of cultural goods and services. We
will explore these issues as well. The meeting will follow the 2nd World Summit on the Information
Society and will be an important opportunity to discuss issues of media ownership and pluralism,
public access and the content being delivered by the digital networks.
INCD meets in conjunction with the meeting of culture ministers organized in the International
Network on Cultural Policy. Delegates can interact informally with culture ministers at an exciting
joint social and cultural event being hosted by the Minister of Culture of Senegal. The conclusions
of the INCD meeting will be presented to the ministers’ meeting.
The issues to be addressed will include:
· Review of case studies to demonstrate how it is possible to alleviate poverty and
achieve equality by developing creative industries.
· The responsibility of public and private development agencies to collaborate with, and
fund, local cultural projects, and to integrate cultural impact assessment into
development frameworks and processes.
· Analysis of the new UNESCO Convention and developing a campaign around it.
· Review of the ongoing trade negotiations and develop an INCD strategy to respond
the continuing challenges.
The co-hosts of the meeting, Cultural Diversity, Social Cohesion and Sustainable
Development: Cultural diversity for human development, alleviating poverty, overcoming
inequality and promoting empowerment are the Senegalese Coalition for Cultural Diversity
and the Senegalese Coalition of Socio-Cultural Actors.
Place: Hotel Ngor Diarama, BP 8092 Dakar, Yoff, Senegal
Date: 17–20 November 2005
Registration and Information:
Albanela Pérez-Suárez, INCD Coordinator
Tel: (613)238.3561 ext.17/ Fax: 613)238.4849
albanela@ccarts.ca