Jan 20, 2025
Just published: The 20th Anniversary of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Cultural Expressions: Are the Convention's Objectives (still) "Fit for Future"?
For two decades, the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (DCE) has played a pivotal role in shaping international cultural policy. This article explores the actual relevance of the Convention's Objectives against the backdrop of current global challenges such as poverty, climate change, digitization, and gender equality. The authors reflect on the Convention’s effectiveness in fostering international cooperation, supporting cultural policies, and promoting the inclusion of culture in development agendas. Notwithstanding emerging obstacles, the Convention’s framework has consistently been reaffirmed and shown dynamic adaptability to new developments, particularly through its doctrinal intersections with human rights law and its influence on States’ cultural policies. Key institutional mechanisms such as the International Fund for Cultural Diversity and initiatives like the 'Fair Culture' movement underscore the Convention’s role in promoting sustainable cultural development and equitable trade in cultural goods and services. In conclusion, with its broad framework of Objectives, the 2005 Convention remains a vital instrument in fostering cultural diversity, capable of responding to evolving global priorities while advocating for solidarity and creative collaboration among member States and civil society.
Christine M. Merkel/Sabine von Schorlemer, The 20th Anniversary of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Cultural Expressions: Are the Convention’s Objectives (still) “Fit for Future”?, Special Issue 2 of the Papers of the UNESCO Chair in International Relations, 2025