Founding Seminar of International Network of Lawyers for Cultural Diversity
A seminar entitled “From theory to practice: Putting the Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions to the test” was held in Québec City from September 25 to 27, 2008. Organized by Laval University law professors Ivan Bernier and Véronique Guèvremont, the event was attended by some 20 professionals from six different countries.
This seminar marked the launch of the International Network of Lawyers for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (RIJDEC), an association dedicated to:
- Serving as an independent think-tank on issues related to the implementation, monitoring and interpretation of the Convention.
- Providing legal counsel on the Convention’s implementation to states that so request it.
- Meeting the needs of civil society stakeholders and providing legal expertise to support their efforts regarding the implementation of the Convention.
- Building a bank of legal experts capable of responding to UNESCO’s needs on all matters pertaining to the implementation of the Convention.
This two-day seminar was an opportunity for the network to meet its first goal: initiating reflection on the implementation of the Convention. Lawyers and cultural professionals from various regions of the world debated and discussed issues centred on four main themes:
- Measures intended to protect and promote cultural expressions at the national level;
- Preferential treatment for developing countries;
- The inclusion of culture in sustainable development policies;
- Cultural expressions under threat.
This seminar also made it possible to identify the challenges that stakeholders will be facing in implementing the Convention. This instrument must be sure to meet the needs of cultural industries by, among other things, providing effective support for the setting of cultural policies and the structuring of the cultural sector in developing countries, and hold sufficient sway over other areas of international law, notably with respect to international trade agreements.
For further details on the RIJDEC, you can consult the following website: http://www.fd.ulaval.ca/site/cms/affichage.php?menu=316&dep=fd&fil=true&....
