Joint declaration by CCA and KLYS
The Mission of the Global Network of
Non-Governmental Culture Organizations
November 12, 1998 — At a joint
meeting of the Boards of the CCA and KLYS (Swedish Joint
Committee of Literary and Artistic Professionals) in November
1998, an initial mission statement was developed to more
precisely define the mission of the international network of
cultural NGO's. Both Boards agreed that their top priority was to
"lay the foundations for a viable and effective
international network...".
With this in mind, the following objectives
have been identified:
- Through the work of the network the value
of cultural pluralism will be promoted by member
organizations both at home and in the international
domain. The creation of an international network
complements rather than duplicates the strong domestic
role for member organizations in the promotion of the
interests of their national cultures.
- The network must work with NGO's from
other countries to develop a common vocabulary and a
clearer understanding of the key elements required to
foster and promote cultural pluralism in a global
society. Issues such as cultural rights, global parallel
rights, and cultural pluralism will be clarified and
rearticulated. There is a common interest in working
proactively to develop a model for an international
convenant on culture so that cultural organizations would
be equipped to take a positive position on cultural
rights rather than constantly arguing for
"carve-outs" and exclusions from trade
agreements.
- Building on a shared lexicon and agenda,
the network members should engage and sustain dialogue
and negotiations with other multilateral bodies whose
activities shape the overall global environment for the
pursuit and promotion of cultural pluralism.
Organizations such as the World Trade Organization, the
World Intellectual Property Organization, UNESCO, and the
Council of Europe are among some of the most important of
these multilateral bodies.
- KLYS and the CCA will work closely with
our colleagues in Mexico to prepare for the 1999 meeting
of non-governmental organizations. The International
Committee of the Board of the CCA will assume the
direction of the Canadian efforts in this regard. KLYS
has been invited to name one of their members to the CCA
International Committee.
