Public policies for cultural diversity: Asian and European experiences
By Ambassador Dominique Girard
Executive Director, Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)
(Keynote delivered at the ASEM Seminar, ‘Preserving and promoting the diversity of
cultural expressions: Sharing Asian and European Experiences’ during the session
on “Public policies for cultural diversity: Asian and European experiences” on 15-16
December 2008 in Hanoi, Vietnam)
Introduction
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I accepted the invitation to
participate in this Seminar on Cultural Diversity organized by the Vietnamese
government and the European Commission and to talk about public policies for
Cultural Diversity from the perspective of the Asia-Europe Foundation.
With a myriad of ethnic groups spanning the length and breadth of Vietnam, Cultural
Diversity is a high priority for policy makers in Vietnam. Vietnam has also been active
in the promotion of cultural diversity in the region through various initiatives in the
past years.
In 2004, the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Culture together with the AsiaEurope Foundation and the French-speaking Community of Belgium organised a
seminar concomitantly with the ASEM5 summit, to discuss key issues on Cultural
Diversity. Better understanding of key definitions of cultural diversity and the need for
more exchange on policy experience, were noted as important steps for further action
between Asian and European participants.
On the European side, the European Commission has been instrumental in the
ratification of the Convention and have embedded cultural diversity in many of their
policies. Cultural Diversity is seen in EU as one of its greatest assets.
With the ratification of the Convention, we are moving towards a global understanding
and agreement on the importance of diversity. Cultural diversity is an operative public
value and not just a guiding principle. For the first time, culture is given a space on
the international political agenda. For the first time, it finds a legal framework in
international law. This provides a foundation to strengthen genuine exchange. The
convention highlights the decisive role of cultural policy and the sovereign right of
countries to have their own national cultural policies. A major strategic alliance has
been set up between governments and civil societies, offering real opportunities for
mutually beneficial exchanges and international cooperation. We have a shared
responsibility in promoting and preserving cultural expressions. It’s a long-term,
ongoing process.
And here we are today, in Vietnam, together with different civil society and
government stakeholders from Asia and Europe to discuss how the now ratified
Convention on Promotion and Preservation of Diversity of Cultural Expressions can be
put in practice, how we can exchange best practices at the policy level, which is both
essential to make Cultural Diversity work and fundamental for more equal exchanges
between Asians and Europeans, between civil societies and governments.
On the importance of public policies for Cultural Diversity
Designing the right policies, mechanisms and parameters for effective
implementation of the Convention is a challenge. Policies play an important role as
some countries might not have the means to sustain a cultural industry and balanced
exchanges without policy interventions. And political will is necessary to define and
design policies.
There is a great variety of approaches to implementing and interpreting cultural
diversity in national policy frameworks. In some countries the emphasis might be put
on building instruments to facilitate social cohesion among different communities, in
other countries the goal is to safeguard a national cultural identity and values via
media programmes or via a more general citizenship education.
Artistic and cultural landscapes are also in constant evolution and policies should
reflect new realities. The shift in many countries from homogeneity to diversity
requires a rethinking of the ways and means necessary to identify and develop
policies relevant to diversifying societies.
A lot can be learned from each other. ASEF has - and can play - an important role in
exchanging best practices and bringing civil society and governments together for indepth discussions and learning on policy formulations.
ASEM and ASEF – catalysts for dialogue on policy and practice between Asia and
Europe
Asia and Europe are two regions diverse in historical, societal and cultural context but
sharing at the very least a global reality that brings opportunities and challenges. As
mentioned in the 2003 ASEM Conference on Cultures and Civilisations, the AsiaEurope Meeting can and should make a contribution to the promotion of dialogue,
understanding and mutual respect among the different cultures and civilisations in
the world.
Since its establishment in 1996, ASEM has been the main multilateral channel for
communication between Asia and Europe, strengthening interaction and mutual
understanding between the two regions through dialogue. The establishment of the
Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) in 1997 was a concrete outcome of the ASEM
process. ASEF remains the only permanent physical institution of ASEM.
ASEF promotes greater mutual understanding between the peoples of Asia and
Europe through intellectual, cultural and people-to-people exchanges and serves as
an interface between civil society groups and governments. In the past 12 years ASEF
has implemented over 450 projects which brought together more then 14,000
participants and a broad audience in Asia and Europe. ASEF prides itself for being a
catalyst for the relations between the two regions, in processes that may not have
otherwise emerged from either purely governmental or purely civil society initiatives.
ASEF’s mission, and its motto are: ‘Embracing diversity, bridging people and shaping
partnerships’. Therefore promotion of cultural diversity is at the very basis of its
action.
Needless to say, policy and practice in the field of arts & culture are important areas
of activities for ASEF. Policymakers and practitioners are invited to discuss cultural
policies, as was recently the case in the Mini-Summit on New Media Art Policy in
Singapore. Common elements, and differences, were discussed between
policymakers and artists and resulted in a recommendation paper. A feedback
mechanism of top-down and bottom-up is set up to stimulate dialogue at different
levels and possibly influence policy decisions.
What ASEF regards as important issues related to public policy for cultural diversity
There are some key points I would like to highlight in relation to public policy for
cultural diversity and where ASEF can play a role.
Firstly, a successful implementation will depend on enhancing civil society awareness
and involvement. Creating continuous platforms of exchange or a cultural governance
interaction between governments and civil society can be a first step. More platforms
can to be set up at the national levels to allow for dynamic policies which reflect
changing realities. With the set up of the International Fund for Cultural Diversity,
projects can be put in place to help the civil society to achieve national cultural
policies.
Secondly, for ASEF exchange and dialogue through mobility is very important.
Freedom of movement encourages cultural exchanges and dialogue. We have seen
that it is essential to building up mutual respect and understanding. Recently the EU
set up policy and financial support mechanisms to promote the mobility of artists and
professionals, and the circulation of all artistic expressions. More mobility
programmes could be set up. Cultural diversity could be an integral dimension of
these programmes and grants. There is a stronger need for such mechanism within
Asia and between Asia and Europe. For the time being, more Europeans enjoy more
opportunities to get support to go to Asia than the opposite.
Thirdly, as we all know, Media is an accelerator for culture and cultural identities. It
can make a major contribution to the promotion of Cultural Diversity. Engagement
with specific features of new technologies and education of both citizens and policy is
essential. Its important to set up legal instruments in this field, to look into Creative
Commons, to leave room for creativity and recognize that new media technologies
promote Cultural Diversities. New Media plays a crucial role in areas such as cultural
heritage, minority languages and public service value of the internet. It’s important to
create better access and conditions for new media technologies in countries where
this is not the case. These relatively newcomers can learn from the mistakes of other
countries and leapfrog into new practices that can become exemplary for others.
Lastly, I would like to emphasize the importance of culture in public policies. Trade
policy be it multilateral within the framework of the WTO, bilateral or on regional level,
should take into account cultural considerations and specificities as is for example
the case under the EC treaty. A right balance needs to be struck between different
legitimate public policy objectives when making decisions or proposals of a regulatory
or financial nature. How can Parties develop trade policies that take into account
cultural diversity objectives, and cultural policies that support equitable access to
both one's own local culture and other cultures of the world?
Conclusion
ASEM countries should co-operate more closely with each other on best practices in
establishing national policies. Formulating the right policies to ensure a realistic
implementation is the key to make the Convention work and to preserve the national
cultural diversity. The role of cultural policy in enhancing social cohesion through
public policy campaigns is crucial.
ASEF will commit itself to work with government and civil society partners to facilitate
more dialogue and awareness about the Convention and to mobilise engagement in
issues of cultural policy in ASEM countries.
We can work together here on identifying topics and projects of interest for joint
working in support of the Convention. Reciprocal learning exchanges between experts
of Asia and Europe, setting up of artist in residency programmes, encouraging co-
production and co-distribution, developing training and development in the cultural
sector. In our search for the right tools to promote and preserve cultural expressions,
the diversity of approaches does not exclude many instances of common or
converging aspirations,
This seminar ‘Public policies for cultural diversity: Asian and European experiences’ is
a unique opportunity not just to discuss but also to think about concrete actions that
can be taken on different levels.
I’m looking forward to fruitful discussions and concrete ideas for action on
international cooperation.
Thank you!