This conference is a follow-up to various conference initiatives undertaken throughout Africa and the Diaspora with regard to the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

Objectives include:

• the elaboration of measures to be taken to counter the current imbalances in the trade of cultural goods and services;
• the establishment of financial support mechanisms for the developing world;
• capacity-building for cultural industries and other areas of the cultural sector in the developing world;
• facilitating strong South-South and regional cooperation;
• facilitating technology transfer and know-how to the developing world.

Furthermore, it is hoped that the conference will be a platform for achieving consensus among countries to develop a common position on fundamental issues on:

• regional policy coordination;
• the role of cultural industries in Africa and the Diaspora;
• a proactive engagement of the International Fund on Cultural Diversity;
• innovative bilateral partnerships on cultural diversity in regional strategies;
• the role of culture in effecting social cohesion and social justice.

The conference is organized by the Department of Arts and Culture of South Africa, which is the event's joint host along with the South Africa National Commission for UNESCO and UNISA (the University of South Africa).

Contacts: Ms Nompumelelo Malebaye, International Relations, Department of Arts and Culture of South Africa. Tel: +27 12 441 3720

and Ms. M. Okuribido-Seriki, UNESCO Windhoek Cluster Office

• Start Date : 12-09-2006
• End Date : 16-09-2006
• Event Type : Conference
• Event Location : Sun City, South Africa
• Email : m.okuribibo@unesco.org
• Website (URL) : Cultural Diversity