Bilaterally, more than 30 international commitments, both multisectoral (with a cultural component) and sectoral (specific to culture), have been signed between the Government of Quebec and foreign partners since the 1960s. Those commitments, which are still in force, mainly concern the implementation of cooperation projects and activities defined jointly by the states and governments concerned.
They are primarily intended to foster lasting collaboration between Quebec and its partners; promote co-creation and co-presentation; encourage the sharing of expertise, experience and information; and facilitate the mobility of artists, cultural professionals, and the cultural goods and services of the two parties. Implementation differs between commitments, but it is generally assigned to working groups composed of representatives of the two parties. Those groups meet on an annual or biennial basis.
Between 2016 and 2020, seven new international commitments were made between Quebec and the following:
* Kyoto Prefecture (a friendship and cooperation agreement)
* The Republic of Cuba (a joint statement)
* The Basque Country (a memorandum of understanding)*
* The State of Louisiana (a joint statement)
* The Government of the State of Maharashtra (a cooperation agreement)
* Flanders (a joint statement)*
* Wales (a statement of intent)*
* These agreements contain a reference to the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
The results vary from commitment to commitment. Nevertheless, they must generally
* involve at least one foreign partner and one Quebec partner;
* be conducted jointly, in both territories, based on the principle of reciprocity and mutual commitment with regard to funding and concrete benefits;
* promote long-term exchanges between Quebec and the foreign state or government;
* be culturally far-reaching and abundant in benefits for both partners;
* establish, or facilitate access to, networks for the creation, dissemination and marketing of cultural products or services;
* encourage the development of specific skills in cultural domains.
| Name of partner | Type of entity |
|---|---|
Quebec Council of Arts and Letters
| Public Sector
|
SODEC [Cultural Enterprise Development Corporation]
| Public Sector
|