UNESCO stands up
UNESCO member states have decided to recommend an international convention to protect cultural diversity and the right of member states to craft their own cultural policies. At a meeting in Paris in June, the 191 UNESCO members produced a strong draft treaty. The agreement includes a recognition of the distinct nature of cultural goods, the legal status on the convention will be equal in international law to other agreements including trade agreements. Some critics fear, however, that the non-binding nature of the treaty’s dispute settlement mechanism will de facto leave trade in cultural goods at the mercy of the free traders who control the World Trade Organization.
Following the pattern of militant unilateralism of the Bush Administration, the US delegation is lashing out in opposition. Robert S Martin, the head of the US delegation, described the convention as ‘deeply flawed and fundamentally incompatible with UNESCO’s constitutional obligation to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image’. The crux of their argument is given away in the claim that the convention will ‘set back progress toward economic liberalization that has done so much to increase prosperity... particularly in the developing world where culture plays such an important role in development.’ In other words – no free trade, no Hollywood movies, no development and no cultural freedom.
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Voices from the margins:
Multimedia: video, podcasts, and more.
- Poetry Slam in Zimbabwe
- The House of Hunger poetry slam held in Zimbabwe in 2006, and organised by the Pamberi Trust, showcased young artists performing inspirational work on issues from corporate power to child soldiers. The video features four of the poets.
Published by Pambazuka News.
- Iranian women speak out
- 3 March 2007, London. Women's rights activists marched through the English capital last week to celebrate International Women's Day with a protest against the misogyny of the Islamic regime in Iran and the threat of invasion by the US. Hear the voices of Iranian feminists Azar and Leila Parnian and the sounds of the demonstration as it passed through the heart of the city. Click here to learn more about the campaign.
Produced by Heidi Bachram.
- Raised Voices audio:
- Benny from West Papua on Corporate Power
- Vinayan from India on agriculture
