State Secretary Per Kristian Skulberg

Culture and creativity in a globalized world

Paris, 2 November 1999

Madame Presidente,

My government welcomes UNESCO’s renewed focus on cultural issues following the World Commision on Culture and Development and the Stockholm Action Plan (1998).

The Director General has this morning emphasized the importance of cultural diversity. As a matter of fact, cultural diversity is as important to our common future, as is the biological diversity.

Culture is to be articulated within the frames of democracy – on national and international levels.

It is at this time – as Minister Trautmann underlined – important to face the fact that globalization also represent a threat to cultural diversity.

I am convinced that an unlimited development of the globalization of economy likewise can represent a threat to the function and development of democracies.

In this situation, it is of vital importance to safeguard the possibilities of governments to develop their cultural diversity and the function of their democracies.

Norway, indeed welcomes the increased cultural exchange of our time.

However, culture and democracy should no longer come second to economy – as stated by Minister Sheila Copps.

In my opinion it is easier to perceive these threats in the field of culture. Thus, the present focus on this by UNESCO, the International Network on Cultural Policies and others is indeed timely.

As a matter of fact, the increased global interest on culture and cultural issues, may develop our economies and trade policies in a sustainable direction not yet achieved.

We must recognize that the frame of democracy on the national level is the best tool to ensure the protection, development and dissimination of cultural expressions and diversity.

The major objectives for the cultural policies for the 21st century must therefore consist of action to ensure that economy does not undermine the governemts’s possibilities to preserve and develop cultural diversity. This is not a matter of protectionism, but a matter of balance!

Bearing in mind the achievments of UNESCO through the World Decade for Culture and Development and the World Commision on Culture and Development, and the global need for further achievements, Norway strongly supports the efforts to strengthen UNESCO’s leading role in the affirmation and the promotion of cultural diversity in a world of exciting transition.