As the 2005 Unesco Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions approaches its 20th anniversary in 2025 , the Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (CDCE) is launching a promotional video underscoring the crucial role of the mobilization of individuals and organizations in the cultural sector to safeguard and promote vibrant local cultural identities, especially withing the digital landscape.
The video, produced in both official languages as well as in Spanish, highlights culture’s inherent value, far beyond its economic weight, as well as the challenges introduced by the digital environment. These range from discoverability, linguistic diversity, and the ongoing development of artificial intelligence. The video also emphasizes a key aspect of the Convention, which calls on states to consider the specific realities and needs of minority groups and Indigenous peoples.
The video aims to reinforce the importance of collaboration among cultural sector stakeholders to influence public policies at the local, regional, and international levels, particularly within the context of globalization.
In Canada, the modernization of key laws, such as the Online Streaming Act, was profoundly influenced by the collective contributions of the Canadian cultural sector,
As Hélène Messier, co-chair of the CDCE and President and CEO of the Association québécoise de la production médiatique (AQPM) stated : “UNESCO’s 2005 Convention is a cornerstone for cultural sovereignty and linguistic diversity in Canada. It enables us to safeguard our cultural identity in the face of challenges brought by digital commerce and artificial intelligence.”
Bill Skolnik, co-chair of the CDCE and representative of the Screen Composers Guild of Canada (SCGC) adds: “As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of this Convention, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting social justice by ensuring a rich and diverse future for cultural expressions in Canada.”
It is important to highlight that Canada, the Government of Quebec, and civil society played a crucial role in the creation of UNESCO’s 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. This unique international convention has empowered civil society stakeholders to play an active and influential role in shaping cultural policies and actions in
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The video was produced by the CDCE and the IFCCD. With financial support from the governments of Canada and Quebec. It was produced by TOAST Studio and directed by Sophie Proulx-Lachance.