I am Robert Martin, Director of the United States Institute of Museum and Library Services, one of the key cultural agencies in the
Any discussion of cultural diversity necessarily must take into account the concept of cultural liberty. As the UNDP Human Development Report 2004 stated, “Culture is not a frozen set of values and practices.” Cultures are dynamic and must be allowed to change according to the will of individuals making independent choices about what is of value and what they wish to produce, see, hear or otherwise experience. Cultural diversity thrives in an atmosphere of cultural liberty, when individuals have the freedom to preserve traditional values and practices and to pursue new and untried cultural and expressive directions.
The vitality of cultural life derives from the great diversity of our citizens themselves -- in their ethnic origins; in the multiplicity of their family and community traditions; in their astonishingly varied linguistic, musical, and culinary heritage; and in their folk art forms – and it derives from their freedom to interact with and learn from others.
A vibrant and varied culture is ever changing. Each generation enriches cultural life by building on its own cultural heritage and by creatively responding to changing environments and circumstances.
We therefore would suggest to our fellow delegates that the role of our governments is and should be to create a climate in which creativity and diversity flourish. It is imperative that each government provide a solid framework that promotes the activities and expressions of its diverse cultures, but does not direct or restrict their development, nor limit their interaction with other communities.
We are deeply concerned that the preliminary draft convention circulated prior to today’s meeting does not address the fundamental concept of cultural liberty, which is essential to sustaining cultural diversity. Moreover, it suggests no substantive steps that could have an immediate impact on fostering greater awareness and appreciation of diverse cultures, both within our borders and beyond.
Our delegation therefore proposes that we use this opportunity to develop a substantive initiative that will, in fact, promote cultural diversity and create opportunities for lesser-developed nations to promote their cultures globally. Let us recognize, build upon, and refine the ongoing and important efforts of existing UNESCO programs, rather than creating barriers and establishing costly bureaucratic structures. Let us find ways to nourish and promote cultural diversity, instead of diverting limited funds for administration. Our focus today is to ensure that every nation has the capacity to promote human creativity in all its varied forms and to share its culture with the world.
We look forward to working together with the representatives of other nations to increase opportunities for cultural interaction, and to sharing additional thoughts, ideas and concerns throughout these meetings. We are hopeful that a spirit of cooperation and constructive dialogue will lead to the development of a convention that all nations can embrace.