Declaration of the Founding Congress of the International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity

Seville, Spain, September 18-19, 2007

Delegates of 37 national Coalitions for Cultural Diversity gathered in Seville, Spain, September 18-19 for the Founding Congress of the International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (IFCCD). Joined by delegates of cultural organizations from 10 countries attending as observers, they agreed on the following:

To call on all governments that have not yet ratified the UNESCO convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions to do so on a priority basis with the objective of reaching the goal of 150 ratifications by 2010.

To work in support of ensuring geographical balance among the countries ratifying the convention, specifically by increasing the number of countries ratifying in Asia, the Arab World, and Africa.

To encourage and support the ongoing emergence of new national coalitions for cultural diversity in all parts of the world, notably within States that have not yet ratified the UNESCO Convention.

To work to accelerate the pace of implementation of the convention through its organs—the Conference of Parties and the Intergovernmental Committee.
In the context of implementing the UNESCO convention, participants at the Seville Congress called on States to:

Develop mechanisms for international cooperation as provided for in the Convention, notably by committing to contribute to the International Fund for Cultural Diversity on a significant and recurring basis, as well as by granting preferential treatment to artists and other cultural professionals from developing countries, and encouraging more balanced exchanges between developed and developing countries across the full spectrum of cultural expressions.

Pursue the goals of the convention through the application of cultural policies at the regional, national and international levels using measures provided for by the convention as their frame of reference.

Be consistent with the principles and objectives of the convention by systematically refraining from liberalization commitments affecting culture in trade negotiations.

Ensure that mechanisms are established that provide for the active participation of civil society in implementing the convention, fulfilling the commitments made by States to this end as provided for in Article 11 of the Convention—specifically, by ensuring access and meaningful opportunities for civil societies to contribute to the work of the Convention’s working bodies.

Support the efforts of civil society organizations in implementing the objectives of the convention by making available the resources necessary for this.

Ensure that civil society is engaged in the process for implementation at the international level through UNESCO’s processes, but also in their own processes for implementation at the national level.
Participants at the Congress wish to acknowledge the financial support of Spain’s Ministry of Culture and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, as well as of the Regional Government of Andalusia and the City of Seville in making the Seville Congress possible. Additional support was provided by the International Organization of La Francophonie, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, as well as the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Government of Quebec, France’s Ministry of Culture and Communications and France’s Centre National de la Cinématographie.