New Nationalism and Identity Politics in Europe (7/2011)
In his CulturewatchEurope (CWE) "Think Piece", Peter Duelund, Director of the Nordic Cultural Institute in Copenhagen, deals with "The Impact of the New Nationalism and Identity Politics on Cultural Policy-making in Europe and Beyond". Referring to examples in a number of European countries, he comes to the conclusion that particularly the revival of "primordial" and "ethno-symbolic" paradigms in the perception of the relationship between identity and nation challenge diversity-related or intercultural concepts that emerged during the past decades. Duelund recognises that evidence found in the Compendium country profiles does not yet provide a "clear-cut" trend towards the new forms of culturalist "identity politics" in Europe. However, the resurgence of populism and of right-wing or nationalist parties in many countries could indeed lead to the conclusion that there exists a difference between legally enshrined definitions of culture (to be found in Chapter 2.2 of the Compendium profiles), which still represent the previous mainstream approach, and the narratives or stereotypes that are now frequently used, mainly as a reflection of migration issues, in general political discourses. According to Duelund, these tendencies "directly contradict the vision of a people’s Europe in which the individual is at the centre of a multicultural society which respects not only fundamental rights and freedoms, but also the cultural and social identity of individuals". Therefore, he argues, the Council of Europe and its member states should try to "rectify mistakes" and "minimise the unfortunate effects of the new nationalism on present-day policies in Europe."Living Together - combining diversity and freedom in 21st-century Europe (4/2011)
Report prepared by a group of nine "eminent persons" from all parts of Europe - see more under Cultural Rights & Ethics
Living in Diversity - Lesson Plans for Secondary Schools (10/2010)
This handbook was produced in the framework of the pilot project "Intercultural and interfaith dialogue through education", part of the Council of Europe-European Commission joint programme "Fostering a culture of human rights in South Caucasus and Ukraine" (2006-2009). It is based on proposals for educational activities that were developed by the teachers and trainers from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine who took part in the project. The activities presented here cover a range of topics associated with intercultural education that correspond to some of the key elements and competences that the Council of Europe considers to be fundamental for intercultural education.
National Film Policies and the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (09/2009)
As a consequence of the above mentioned review, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe issued, on 23 September 2009, the Recommendation CM/Rec(2009)7 to its Member States.
Review of National Film Policies for Diversity (09/2008)
In 2008-2009, the Council of Europe undertook a review of national film policies. Inter alia, the review was seen as a contribution to the implementation of the UNESCO Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. In this context, a multi-stakeholder Film Policy Forum "Shaping Policies for the Cinema of Tomorrow" was held in Krakow/Poland (September 2008).
Declaration on Cultural Diversity (12/2000)
Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 7 December 2000.
European Cultural Convention (11/1954)
Council of Europe Convention adopted in Paris 19 November 1954. It has been signed by 48 countries.
Cultural Policy and Cultural Diversity Project
Overview of key project activities and publications
Council of Europe: National Studies on Cultural Policy and Cultural Diversity. Strasbourg: Council of Europe, 2004.
Bennett, Tony: Differing Diversities: Cultural Policy and Cultural Diversity . Strasbourg: Council of Europe, 2001.
Ellmeier, Andrea; Rásky, Béla: Differing Diversities: Cultural Policy and Cultural Diversity - Eastern European Perspectives. Strasbourg: Council of Europe, 2006.
Robins, Kevin: The Challenge of Transcultural Diversities - Cultural Policy and Cultural Diversity. Strasbourg: Council of Europe, 2006.
Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy
The Strategy was set up following the Rio Earth Summitt and the adoption of the United Nations "Convention on Biological Diversity". The principal aim of the Strategy is to find a consistent response to the decline of biological and landscape diversity in Europe and to ensure the sustainability of the natural environment.
European Heritage Days
The EHD, a joint Council of Europe/European Union initiative, aims to promote the wealth of cultural diversity on the European continent.
European Audiovisual Observatory
Provides data and information on the landscape of audiovisual goods and services in Europe including reports on e.g. the share of domestic film production in comparison to the share of foreign imports.
Mapping Cultural Diversity - Good Practices from Around the Globe (11/2010)
The German Commission for UNESCO and the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) launched this publication at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 29 November 2010. Mapping Cultural Diversity is a contribution to the debate on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions around the 2005 UNESCO Convention. The publication includes examples of 39 projects that are contributing to this goal in different parts of the world. Most contributions are by the Fellows of the U40 Network for "Cultural Diversity 2030", a group of over 60 cultural policy experts under 40 years of age. The electronic version of the publication can be downloaded here.
Cultural Diversity Homepage
UNESCO's main access point to information on its programmes and publications on cultural diversity.
Convention on the Protection and the Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions
Adopted in Paris on 20 October 2005 by the members of the UNESCO General Conference. Text of the Convention is available in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic.
States Parties to the Convention
Provides a list of all countries that have ratified the UNESCO Convention and the date of their ratification.
Follow-up to the Convention on the Protection and the Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions
Provides links to information on the activities of the Intergovernmental Committee responsible for encouraging and monitoring the implementation of the Convention. Members of the Committee were elected by the Conference of State Parties in June 2007. Working documents and background papers on statistical indicators, international cooperation, the role of civil society and the International Fund for Cultural Diversity are available from this site.
Draft Operational Guidelines Adopted by the Intergovernmental Committee
Provides links to operational gudelines adopted for specific Articles of the Convention.
Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity
Adopted in Paris on 2 November 2001 by the UNESCO General Conference. Text of the Declaration is available in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic.
World Report on Cultural Diversity
Provides an overview of the goals, the proposed conceptual framework and the main activities leading to the realisation of the World Report. Members of the advisory committee of experts and board of governors responsible for the report are listed.
UNESCO Reflections on Cultural Diversity
Presents information on meetings, colloquia, research projects and publications on cultural diversity undertaken or supported by UNESCO.
UNESCO and its Work on Cultural Diversity
Presentation of UNESCO's strategy and review of activities from 1946-2003.
What is UNESCO doing to promote Cultural Diversity?
A review of actions taken by UNESCO in different areas to promote cultural diversity such as the media, education, arts and language.
Global Alliance for Cultural Diversity
Established in 2002, the Global Alliance works to strengthen the cultural industries in developing countries by encouraging knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, good practice and mentoring between its members. It provides support to programmes and activities implemented within the framework of the UNESCO Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
Treaty of the European Union
Preservation and promotion of cultural diversity are among the founding principles of the European Union and are enshrined in a special clause of its Treaty.
European Commission and the UNESCO Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions
Presents information on the EU's role in the ratification and implementation of the UNESCO Convention.
European Agenda for Culture in a Globalising World
Commission's new strategy for culture was published in May 2007. It identifies cultural diversity among its main priorites; the others being intercultural dialogue, creativity and innovation and culture as a key element of the EU's external relations activities. The strategy proposes the creation on an EU-ACP Cultural Fund to support the distribution of cultural goods from ACP countries. This site also provides a link to the EC's consultations which fed into the development of its agenda.
EU-ACP Support Programme to the Cultural Industries
In the context of the UNESCO Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the programme was designed to promote an enabling environment for creativity, cooperation and exchanges, independence and viability of the cultural sector in the 79 ACP States, as well as the safeguarding of cultural diversity and fundamental cultural values. The site provides information on the ACP Cultural Observatory.
International Network of Lawyers for Cultural Diversity
Housed at the Faculté de droit, l'Université Laval (Canada), this network was founded at a seminar organised in September 2008. Members are lawyers interested in the UNESCO Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
International Network for Cultural Diversity (INCD)
The INCD is a worldwide network of artists and cultural groups dedicated to countering the homogenizing effects of globalization on culture.
International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (IFCCD)
Established in September 2007, the IFCCD brings together over 40 national coalitions from around the world, representing more than 600 professional cultural organisations.
European Coalitions for Cultural Diversity
European Coalitions for Cultural Diversity: Final Declaration.
Adopted by representatives of the national coalitions in Brussels, January 2006.
Österreiches Koalition für die kulturelle Vielfalt (Austria)
Canadian Coalition for Cultural Diversity
Coalition française pour la diversité culturelle (France)
Bundesweite Koalition für Kulturelle Vielfalt (Germany)
Coalition italienne pour la diversité culturelle (Italy)
Coalición Española para la Diversidad Cultural (Spain)
Schweizer Koalition für die kulturelle Vielfalt (Switzeland)
Cultural Diversity Network of Broadcasters
A network of the UK's leading broadcasting companies working together to promote diversity in programme making and decision-making.
Broadcasting, Regualtion & Cultural Diversity (BRCD)
A network for the exchange of experiences and knowledge with mission to promote cultural diversity in the media by means of regulation.
Split opinions about the causes for the Breivik attack in Norway (7/2011)
According to the press review EUROTOPICS, first reactions of major European newspapers show a divide in the assessment of the causes of the attack on 22 July 2011: "The conservative media reject right-wing populism or Christian fundamentalism as motives for the attacks, which the liberal media regard as a hypocritical and dangerous stance."
Breivik attack in Norway - saving "Western Culture" against Islam and "Cultural Marxists"? (7/2011)
In the US "Talk to Action Blog" published on 24 July 2011, Chip Berlet investigates some of the crude ideas in Anders Behring Breivik's "Manifesto": According to him, the manifesto states that "Political Correctness" should be called "Cultural Marxism" and is the reason for political leaders allowing mass Muslim migration into Europe. "Breivik thought Cultural Marxists = multiculturalists = Islamization of Europe. This racist right-wing conspiracy theory is tied to the Islamophobic 'Demographic Winter' thesis. In his online posts, Breivik considered himself a cultural conservative and condemned 'Cultural Marxism'. The idea of 'Cultural Marxism' on the political right is an antisemitic conspiracy theory claiming that a small group of Marxist Jews formed the Frankfurt School and set out to destroy Western Culture through a conspiracy to promote multiculturalism and collectivist economic theories."
U-40 World Forum (2009)
Initiated by the German Commission for UNESCO, the U40-Capacity Building Programme 'Cultural Diversity 2030' (2008- 2010) is going global. A meeting of selected U-40 young professionals took place prior to the Conference of States Parties to the UNESCO Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (Paris, June 2009).
Fair Culture (2007)
Report published by the Finnish Ministry of Education on the ethical dimension of cultural policy and cultural rights. 
Download Report.
Culturelink Special Issue on the UNESCO Convention
Obuljen, Nina; Smiers Joost (eds.): UNESCO's Convention on the Protection and the Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions: Making it Work. Zagreb: Culturelink, December 2006.
Cultural Diversity - Europe's Wealth: Bringing the UNESCO Convention to Life
International Conference organised by the German Commission for UNESCO within the framework of Germany's EU Presidency, 26.-28. April 2007. Information on the results of the conference is available in English, French and German.
Policies and Best Practices for Cultural Diversity and Capacity Building
Seminar organised by the German Commission for UNESCO at UNESCO HQ in Paris, 26 November 2007.
Measuring the Elusive Diversity of Cultural Expressions: UNESCO's experiences with cross-border trade data
Presentation by Guiomar Alonso Cano (UNESCO) to the OECD workshop "International Measurement of Culture", Paris, 4-5 December 2006.
UNESCO Institute for Statistics: International Flows of Selected Cultural Goods and Services, 1998-2003. Montreal, 2005.
The Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions: Implementation and Followup-The Challenge of Concerted Civil Society Action
Study prepared by Véronique Guèvremont as a background paper for the 1st session of the Intergovernmental Committee, December 2007.
Working Documents and Background Papers on the UNESCO Convention
The UNESCO Secretariat has commissioned a series of experts to provide input to the intergovernmental committee and its works in drafing the operational guidelines to the Convention. All working documents and background papers are available from this site.
European Art and Culture between Free Trade and Cultural Diversity: A Delicate Dialogue?
Provides links to presentations and key articles of relevance to the CIRCLE Conference held in Helsinki 14-15 December 2006.
Labforculture.org: Research In Focus
Provides a prelimnary list of key documents on cultural diversity. Users can link to a public forum debating the meaning of cultural diversity and the UNESCO Convention from the point of view of practitioners.
Diversity of Cultural Expressions Newsletter
Monitors the ratification of the UNESCO Convention and reports on cultural policy measures and best practice around the world
Interarts Seminar Series on Cultural Diversity
In 2006, Interarts organised 5 seminars on cultural diversity focussing on the legal environments, media images of minorities and immigrants, life experiences, labour markets and business environments, cultural rights, conflicts resulting from cultural coexistene.
Cultural Diversity in Europe: report of the joint French-German parliamentary working group
Published in February 2007, this report addresses a range of issues such as: linguistic diveristy, information society, film funding, cultural cooperation in Europe. Download report in German .
Cultural Statistics Observatory
Created by Sten Månsson (Sweden), the website of the CSO provides users with comprehensive links to international, European and national data, expert studies and national statistical offices. See "facts and figures" for direct access to comparative data and transnational exercises on participation, funding, employment, development, culture industries, etc.
Television across Europe: Regulation, Policy and Independence
Comparative report series published by the Open Society Institute in 2005 examines the challenges and threats to pluralism and diversity in pubic broadcasting in 20 countries.
Diversité des expressions culturelles et artistiques, et mondialisations: reseau de chercheurs
Presents information on the recently established network of researchers from countries of the francophonie.
Council of Europe/ERICarts, "Compendium of Cultural Policies and Trends in Europe, 12th edition", 2011 | ISSN 2222-7334
