Mr. Chairman

I think we should remind ourselves that the issues on our agenda of cultural diversity these two days must find its solution both between smaller and bigger countries, and between the developing and the developed countries. The main challenge consists precisely in ensuring that globalisation benefits everyone.

Norwegian cultural policy has a long-standing tradition of public support to our domestic cultural industries, which is only natural in a country of only 4.5 million inhabitants.

The Norwegian market for a cultural industry based solely on economic criteria, is too small to ensure and promote cultural diversity and cultural products reflecting the social characteristics of the nation. Public support is thus allocated – directly or indirectly – to public service broadcasting, the book trade and to newspapers and the film industry.

For small countries such as Norway the main strategy is to ensure that the possibility to pursue cultural objectives, such as promotion of freedom of expression, cultural diversity and identity, is maintained.

This is not protectionism. European markets are very open. For example: In spite of our efforts to promote Nordic films in our country, Anglo- American films have an overwhelming dominance in Norwegian cinemas.

Cultural goods and services cannot be treated as ordinary trade objects, and we must not accept that measures to protect culture are reduced to "obstacles to trade" and that they are encountered with trade retaliation. At the same time, we must see to it that such measures do not hamper cross-border cultural exchange. Measures taken to protect national culture and negative attitudes towards impulses from other countries need to be balanced.

Public support to the domestic cultural industries in Norway has so far been directed towards the production of culture that is important for the development of the Norwegian language and democracy. We need international and national focus on smaller cultural or linguistic groups, which in my country includes our indigenous people - the Sami-people - and the many different minority groups of foreign origin. In order to sustain the national culture and language, subsidy schemes for domestic industries may need to be supplemented by regulatory measures and other domestic policies that restrict the market access of foreign productions.

Let me provide you with an example from the Norwegian policy in book trade: publishers, book-sellers, writers etc. enjoy specific economic framework conditions and subsidies, which are motivated by cultural policy concerns.

1. Book sales in Norway are exempted from the ordinary VAT; there is a zero-rate for VAT. This is a measure to ensure the basis for a varied Norwegian book production.
2. Particular subsidies are given to Norwegian literature, referred to as the state purchase scheme:

The state purchase scheme is unique in an international context. It supplies the public with a rich and varied literature in the Norwegian language, and it is a measure to promote cultural policy objectives as to publishers, artists, libraries and language:

1. Through the purchasing programme, publishers are guaranteed minimum sales of 1000 copies of books for adults and 1 550 copies of books for children and adolescents.
2. The purchasing programme guarantees for 50% of authors' royalties and
3. The purchased books are distributed to public and school libraries.

Approximately 60 mill Nkr. / 47 million French francs is allocated to this scheme.

Finally, let me add a few remarks concerning the future:

Normative action falls within the mandate of UNESCO. UNESCO’s action in this field must take into account work already done within the organisation as well as within other international bodies.

The proposal for an Action Plan for cultural diversity could, in my opinion, be a good starting-point for specific action in this field. It is, however, rather comprehensive, and would benefit from more focus and concentration.

It has been suggested that an international instrument to protect and promote cultural diversity would limit the accessibility and availability of cultural products and have adverse implications for the principle of freedom of expression. On the contrary, such concerns lie behind the cultural policy objectives of many states. Measures within the sector have been introduced to strengthen freedom of expression and access to culture. Language and cultural relevance are critical aspects. Democratic rights are severely undermined if cultural services in our own language have been priced out of the market, and content reflecting our own culture are no longer available.

The outline of a draft declaration presented to us, is in my opinion, a good point of departure for a UNESCO declaration on cultural diversity. I think, however, that the draft needs some more focus. My main concern is to ensure that cultural goods and services are given particular attention. At a time when culture is becoming a driving economic force, the development of truly competitive cultural industries in all countries is important.

Thank you.