(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) As Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), I wish to acknowledge the lead taken by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to observe 21 May as World Day for Cultural Diversity. This year’s observance takes place within the context of renewed international commitment to cultural diversity, given that a year ago on March 18, 2007, the international Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions entered into force.
UNESCO as lead international agency for cultural cooperation has been instrumental in advancing views on culture, diversity and development. In 2001, the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity introduced to international dialogue, the idea that cultural diversity should be considered as a “common heritage of humanity”, and its “defense as an ethical imperative, inseparable from respect for human dignity.” The concept of cultural diversity was advanced as “necessary for the human race as bio-diversity is in the natural realm.”
This initial step paved the way for the adoption by the 33rd General Conference of UNESCO of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions on 20 October 2005, the process leading up to which, several CARICOM Member States were involved. The Convention secured agreement on the sovereign right of States to elaborate cultural policies “to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions, and recognizes the distinctive nature of cultural goods and services as “vehicles of identity, values and meaning.”
The regional agenda of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for culture acknowledges and celebrates the richness of the cultural diversity of our Region. National and regional cultural policies in Member States have been evolving, and it is recognized that such policies should be cognisant of and responsive to the unique historical and cultural realities of our people, taking account of the often adverse legacies and impact of slavery, indentureship and colonial rule that have shaped our Caribbean contemporary society. However our cultural agenda also strives to take account of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity and the great Caribbean civilization that has emerged in spite of itself. National and regional policies must seek to enable unbridled cultural expression by the people for the advancement of cultural confidence, cultural identity, mutual understanding and social cohesion.
Against the background of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) that entered into force in January 2006, it is acknowledged that cultural understanding, cooperation and awareness is central to the effective implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), as the foundation of our regionalism is located in the common historical and cultural heritage of the Caribbean. Culture is central to building a sense of community, of ensuring that the people of the Region feel connected and “intensely Caribbean,” and thereby forging a regional identity.
Given these principles, the promotion of cultural diversity, safeguarding cultural heritage and developing creative industries are important priority areas in CARICOM. Central to the development of the region’s cultural agenda is the recognition of the need to create opportunities for the full development of the creativity of the people of the Community and in particular young persons. Youth must be engaged both because they are primary producers and consumers of culture, and also as a strategy for diverting youthful energy into positive avenues, and away from risky behaviour.
The Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA), the Region’s premier cultural festival which is in the process of being restructured to better meet the expectations of artists, regional and international audiences, is one vehicle that presents excellent opportunities for youth engagement and exposure. This regional cultural mega-event will be staged for the tenth time and will take place in Guyana, 22 – 31 August 2008.
The UNESCO Convention on the Protection and the Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions enshrined the right of all people to create, disseminate and benefit from their unique cultural expressions, which is in keeping with CARICOM’s emphasis on the development of cultural industries for enhanced economic prosperity and sustainable development in our region. Several of our Member States have demonstrated their comparative advantage in the cultural industries in areas such as music, art, craft, the literary and culinary arts, fashion, festivals, theatre, film and cultural tourism. Many cultural manifestations in these areas are among those for which the Caribbean is known and respected internationally, and should therefore be the logical point of departure for building competitive export industries that are rooted in local talents and resources.
Let us use today – World Day for Cultural Diversity – to renew and strengthen our pledge, as partners in cultural development, to respect and promote the principles of cultural diversity, and to ensure that our Community is a place built on mutual understanding and respect for all cultures.