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Artists are looking for equal treatment, says Gilberto Gil, Musician & UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

A new global report tracking the progress and challenges in implementing the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, now ratified by 141 Parties, will be released on 16 December, 2015, at 10 AM. The launch event will take place during the 9th Intergovernmental Committee of the Convention at UNESCO HQ in Paris , 14-16 December, in the presence of Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General, and high level guests, including Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Per Olsson Fridh, State Secretary to the Minister of Culture and Democracy of Sweden, and Pascal Lamy, former Director-General of the World Trade Organization.

This special message was sent by Gilberto Gil, musician, former Minister of Culture, Brazil and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador , in support of the 2005 Convention and the new Report entitled: “Re | Shaping Cultural Policies: A Decade Promoting the Diversity of Cultural expressions for Development”.

''The adoption in 2005 of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions was a historic moment. The international community had long awaited such a Convention. For the first time, governmental and non-governmental bodies, as well as cultural custodians from civil society, gathered to elaborate a treaty affirming the political will and commitment of governments to protect and promote the widest possible range of cultural expressions. I am proud to have participated, as Minister of Culture of Brazil, in this unique process which aimed to foster a better balance between trade and culture interests globally. Today, new creative societies are emerging, with new concepts and contemporary languages. The digital revolution obliges us to reinvent the way we do almost everything and re-examine the channels put in place for the creation, production, distribution, access and enjoyment of cultural goods and services. From public arts to creative districts and digital platforms, civic engagement is stimulated at all levels. In both the North and the South, artists and cultural professionals are not looking for special treatment, but for equal treatment. With the Convention, we can uphold the values of equitable access, openness and balance into the next decade. This 10th anniversary is an opportunity not to be missed.''

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Photo Credit: UNESCO