Symposium of experts on :

H Cultural Diversity in the light of globalization. The Future of the Cultural Industries in East and Central Europe ))

organized in collaboration with Polish National Commission for UNESCO

(Warsaw, 30 June - 1 July 2000)

FINAL DOCUMENT

0 The General Conference of UNESCO, at its 30fh session (1999 considered that

‘Cultural diversity” is one of the principal treasures of humanity and that, as such, it must be affirmed and developed. Cultural diversity is expressed as much by the diversity of cultural policies and cultural products as by the diversity of its origin.

Taking into account that << globalization 1) may have the effect of establishing closer links than ever before and of enriching cultures and their interaction, but that it may also raise challenges to cultural diversity, the General Conference invited Member States to recognize its importance, to express their support of this diversity and “ to strengthen UNESCO’s leading role in the afjrmation and promotion of cultural diversity in a world in transition”

Concerning activities, it was decided that UNESCO must develop its role of H intellectual forum>> on questions related to the impact of the new international context on cultural products.

Some modalities were indicated: set up a working group of governmental experts, collaborate with countries and organizations concerned, alert various partners and donors involved to the merits of collaborating on the implementation of those projects, etc.

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More precisely, it was accepted that the pertinent contents of the Plan of Action of the Intergovernmental Conference on Cultural Policies for Development (Stockholm, 1998)‘, already followed by the Symposium of experts on “Culture: a form of merchandise like no other ? D (UNESCO, June 1999)2 will be examined again through regional consultations with a view to raising the awareness of Member States on the implications of the international trade negotiations on books, records, film and the audiovisual media.

Within this framework, the present meeting of experts, concerning the situation of Cultural Industries in Central and Eastern Europe, was conceived and organized in collaboration with the Polish National Commission for UNESCO. It took place on 30 June and 1 July 1999 in Warsaw (Poland) with the sponsorship of the Polish Parliament Twenty four Experts from nine Countries of Central and Eastern Europe four from Western Europe and one from UNESCO delivered presentations, sometimes with written papers. 30 observers participated in the debates.

The conclusions were presented by the Rapporteur, at the end of the debates and approved by the participants. They reflect the discussions and contain some proposals.

0 Detailed Agenda.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..page 3

0 General Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..page 7

l Written paper.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 13

’ Objective 3( 12) : “To promote the idea that cultural goods and services should be fully recognized and treated as being not like other forms of merchandise”.

’ Final Document enclosed.

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Detailed Agenda: Friday 30 June 2000

9:30-lo:oo am Opening ceremony

Welcome address Pr Jacek Wo niakowski, Chairman of the Committee of Culture of the Polish National Commission for UNESCO

Opening addresses: l President of the Polish Parliament : Maciej Pla y sk i l Minister of Culture and National Heritage: Mr. Kazimierz

M. Ujazdowki l Chief p.i. of Book and Cultural Industries Section,

UNESCO : Mr. Georges Poussin

lO:OO-12:oo Session I Cultural Diversity - Definitions and Means of Promoting

1 O:OO- 11:30 Presentations delivered by :

Pr Kiril Razlogov, Director of the Institute of Culture, Moscow Pr Jerzy K oczowski, President of the Polish National Commission for UNESCO Mr. Hector Munro, Director of the Export Promotion, British Council, London * Mr. Philippe Chantepie, Special Adviser, Cabinet of the Minister of Culture and Communication, France Pr. Kazimierz Krysztofek, Deputy Director of the Institute of Culture, Warsaw

11:30-12:00 Discussion

12 :00-1:00 pm Session II Cultural Diversity - Definitions and Means of Promoting (cont.)

12:00-1:OOpm Presentations delivered by :

- Ms Verena Wiedemann, Director, ARD Radio and T&vision office in ARD in Brussels (Belgium) *

- Mr. Kimmo Aulake, Council of Europe, Special Adviser, Ministry of Education and Culture (Finland)

- M..Salah Abada, Director of the Creativity and Copyright Section, UNESCO

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2:30-4:00 pm Session III Cultural Diversity - Definitions and Means of Promoting (cont.)

2:30-3:lO pm Discussion

3: lo-4:00 pm Presentations delivered by :

- Ms Dorota Ilczuk, Institute of Culture, Warsaw - Mr. Juliusz J. Braun, Chairman, Broadcasting Council,

Poland

4:30-6:00 pm Session IV Presentation of the situation of the sector of recorded music - case studies presented by experts from Slovakia and Poland

4:30-5:15 pm Presentations delivered by:

- Dr Viera Polakovi ova, Chief, External Relations Department, Music Centre, Slovakia *

- Pr Jan B eszy ski, Warsaw University, Poland

5:15 400 pm Discussion

Saturday 1 July 2000

9:00-ll:oo am Session V Presentation of the situation of the book sector - case studies presented by experts from Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ukraine and Poland

9:00-10:15 am Presentations delivered by:

M. Sre koJeluSi , Expert, Ministry of Culture, Croatia * Mr. Alexander Tomsky, Director Akademia Publishing House, Czech Republic * Mr. Peter Inkei, Head, Eastern-Central European Cultural Observatory of Budapest, Hungary M. Yurii Nikitiuk, Second Secretary, National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO * M. Andrzej Chzanowki, President, Polish Book Chamber

10 :15-l 1 :oo am Discussion

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11:30-1:30 pm Session VI Presentation of the situation of the audio-visual and new electronic media sector - case studies presented by experts from Bulgaria, Latvia, Russian Federation and Poland

11:30-12:45 am Presentations delivered by:

- Pr Lubomir Halatchev, National Film Centre, Bulgaria * - Mr Bruno AS uks, Managing Director, National Film

Centre, Latvia * - Pr Kiril Razlogov, Director, Institute of Culture, Moscow - Ms Iwona ledzi ska-Katarasi ska, Member of Parliament,

Poland * - M. Janusz Kijowski, Director, Karol Irzykowki Film Studio,

Poland

12:45-1:30 pm Discussion

3 :00-5 :00 pm Panel discussion on cultural diversity

3 :00-4 :00 pm Presentations delivered by:

- M. Akos Engelmayer - M. Victor Yerofeev - Pr Jacek Wo niakowski - M. Krzysztof Zanussi

4:00-5:00 pm Discussion

5:30-6:40 pm Presentation of conclusions and discussion

5:30-5:50 pm Presentation of the General Conclusions - Pr Tomasz Goban-Klas, Jagellon University

5:50-6:40 pm Discussion

6:40-7:00 pm Closing of the Conference

* see written papers, page 13

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General Conclusions:

GENERAL CONCLUSIONS OF THE SYMPOSIUM ON:

“Cultural Diversity in the light of globalization. The Future of the Cultural Industries

in Eastern and Central Europe”

organized in collaboration with

the Polish National Commission for UNESCO

(Warsaw, 30 June - 1st July 2000)

------- ---____~~--

Conclusions by the Rapporteur: Professor Tomasz Goban-Klas

As a follow up to the recommandations of the Plan of Action of the Intergovernmental

Conference on Cultural Policies for Development (Stockholm, 1998) and the conclusions of

the Svmnosium of experts on “Culture: a form of merchandise like no other ?I’ (UNESCO,

June 1999) - reaffirmed by a resolution of the 30th Session of the General Conference,

UNESCO decided to organize a series of regional consultations with a view to drawing the

attention of Member States to the implications of the international trade negotiations on

books, records, film and the audiovisual media. It was within this framework, in

collaboration with the Polish National Commission, that the idea of this first meeting of

experts was conceived.

Central and Eastern Europe, which by its history and geography lies at the heart of the

European continent and has participated in its rich cultural development. It was however cut

off from Western Europe after the Second World War. Nevertheless, Professor Kloczowski

stressed the permanence of European cultural unity in the framework of a rich diversity of

cultures between countries and sub-regions, as well as the importance of taking a “long term”

perspective into consideration in order to understand historical realities. Professor

Wo niakowski considered that fears of a weakening of national and local cultural identity

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have been exaggerated, because identity is deeply rooted. We should therefore focus on

developing and promoting our national cultures while remaining open to the world.

The first group of sessions focused on the definition of cultural diversity and means of

promoting of such diversity.

The promotion of cultural diversity is essential to preserve and pass on the rich

cultural heritage of nations and groups to future generations. It can be considered as a

fundamental social right and a treasure of humanity. However, it is currently endangered by

the growing process of globalization - at the economic and cultural level.

UNESCO’s representative stressed the need to deepen analysis, research and dialogue

on the contemporary situation. He indicated a series of possible options in this respect which

were well received by the participants. Mr Georges Poussin reminded them that this meeting

was the first in a series of other regional meetings and that many other international

organizations are involved in this debate. He also observed that most countries of the region

had recently signed the Florence agreement and its Protocol, known as the Nairobi Protocol.

[Florence Agreement : Imnortation of Educational. Scientific and Cultural Materials,

Florence, 1950 and Nairobi, 1976. ]

Culture is an element of contemporary economy (including show-business), producing

goods and services as well as creating jobs. Usually, the market is considered as a promoter of

a global and uniform culture. Mr Kiril Razlogov talked about a change of paradigm, in culture

itself and in the understanding of that culture. There is a shift from the old, European vertical

concept of culture - seen as a pyramid, where priests, universities, fine arts and cultivated

people were at the top and the mass at the bottom - to the new, global, horizontal, concept of

culture - seen as a sphere representing global, mass culture. Gravitating around it are multiple

sub-cultures where cultural diversity can be expressed (high culture is only one of such sub-

cultures). This global culture is based mostly on entertainment and is driven by money and

profit. When an element of a sub-culture enters the global sphere, it gets systematically

modified and adapted.

Mr Hector Munro (British Council) outlined the way in which the UK nurtures and

encourages its creative industries. The “creative industries” are generating billions of pounds

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in exports and are creating new jobs. The government has a supporting role - to create a

friendly environment, to back certain entrepreneurs and endeavours, especially with regard to

medium and small initiatives. In order to encourage creative industries six broad areas of

action are taken in the UK, they are: education and training; supporting small independent

entrepreneur; financial and regulatory environment; supporting exports; protecting intellectual

property rights; maximizing the opportunities and minimizing the threats of new technology.

Mr Philippe Chantepie stressed the importance of cultural diversity as a means to

assure “sustainable creativity”. He also stressed the moral obligation of nations and

governments to conserve culture and to pass it to future generations. Because “culture is not a

merchandise just like any other”, France believes that UNESCO’s role in protecting cultural

diversity should be developed and that the issue of culture and trade should not be left entirely

to international trade bodies. The right of a nation to support its creativity is the equivalent of

the freedom of speech recognized at the individual level.

Professor Krzysztofek stressed that the market does not always hinder cultural

diversity, but that more often then not, it actually sustains and fosters it.

Mrs Verena Wiedemann, in expressing her view that the audio-visual media is one of

the most powerful tools to express cultural identity and diversity, argued for the inclusion of

the new digital information services in the same category as traditional cultural services and

media in order to protect them in the same way. UNESCO is in a unique position - due to its

long tradition of identifying the cultural issues - of being able to address the problem of

diversity of sounds and images in the global environment.

Mr Kimmo Aulake underlined the importance of cultural diversity as a key cultural

policy issue. The problem does not arises from a contradiction between cultural policies and

trade policies, but from the fact that certain cultural policy instruments, which by definition

are local, national or regional, can clash with trade policy principles which are international

and universal. He also explained the work of the Council of Europe in this field and its efforts

to promote “diversity in our unity”.

Mr Salah Abada was concerned about the protection of the rights of the author in a

new digital environment. He recalled that copyright is an efficient means of mobilizing the

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creative capacity of intellectual works and of regulating the relationship between the different

actors involved in cultural development. He also stressed the importance of cultural education

as a means of informing the public and discovering new creative talents. There is a need to

take certain cultural sectors that are not necessarily economically viable into consideration,

but that nevertheless represent cultural interests and require public financial support.

Mrs Dorota Ilczuk presented a mixed overall summary of the state of cultural

industries in Central and Eastern Europe. On the one hand, cultural industries belong to a

group of fast growing industries, however, on the other hand, their dynamism is mostly the

result of the influence of transnational corporations. This is particularly the case with respect

to the press.

Mr Juliusz Braun stressed the role of public broadcasting as a safeguard of national

cultural diversity. The regional public broadcasters are also promoting minority and ethnic

cultures, despite the pressure to make profit.

The second group of sessions focused on the presentation of the cultural industries

sectors, including recorded music, books, and audio-visual.

Ms Viera Polakovi ova and Mr Jan B eszy ski dealt with the complex situation of

recorded music in Central and Eastern European countries. Music is a universal means of

communication, but on the other hand, the market is increasingly dominated by big

international conglomerates which have resources to promote their own products and are

neglecting the local and national publishers. The high price of compact discs is making the

“pirating” industry profitable, so the illegal copying and smuggling of records is still

flourishing, despite the new legal measures of protection of copyright.

The discussion on the book industry (Mr Sre ko JeluSi , Mr Alexander Tomsky, Mr

Peter Inkei, Mr Yurii Nikituk and Mr Andrzej Chrzanowski) raised a lot of similar issues.

The transition from censorship and command economy to the freedom of publishing and the

free market in Central and Eastern Europe was fast and radical. All of a sudden, there was an

abundance of books, many of which were formerly forbidden. However, that “diversity” is

dominated by foreign authors, which are translated into local languages. Economic factors

are behind the ongoing process of concentration in the publishing industry. The situation

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could be improved if the government supported the creation of a friendlier environment for

the publishing industry. To this end, more reliable data on the book market would be

required.

Several speakers discussed the audio-visual sector (Mr Lubomir Halatchev, Mr Bruno

AS uks, Mr Kiril Razlagov, Ms Iwona ledzi ska-Katarasi s&and Mr Janusz Kijowski).

Using several examples, they demonstrated the difficulties of the film and audio-visual media

under the current market conditions. They considered that regional cooperation, especially in

distribution, is really useful in this area.

The panelists on cultural diversity (Mr Akos Engelmayer, Mr Victor Yerofeev, Mr

Jacek Wozniakowski and Mr Krzysztof Zanussi) rounded-up the proceedings of the

symposium with a philosophical exchange. They seemed to share the conviction that diversity

is too valuable to be treated in a uniform way. Therefore, they expressed different

perspectives on the subject, proving that analytical diversity also has its place.

E-B- -- -- -- ---- -

The main concrete proposals that came out of the symposium could be summarised as

follows:

1. With regard to national policies:

They are important for each sector of cultural industries. They should take into

consideration “free trade objectives” as well as the “freedom of cultural expression”, in order

to respect pluralism. As for books, relations between the public and private sectors should be

developed or improved, the professions organized, specific laws developed, access to the

market enhanced, and conditions for distribution improved. These policies should also cover

the movie and music industries, where the fight against piracy is a major priority.

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2. With regard to Regional and Sub-Regional cooperation:

The collection and exchange of data and information should be reinforced; “pilot action”

should be developed and made a priority for the movie industries; and, they should include

anti-corruption activities.

3. With regard to UNESCO, the Organization should pursue and reinforce its work in:

Supporting the sectorial national policies (expertise,

professional tools, like the ISBN code);

Providing training, raising awareness and favouring

reflection in the fields of creativity, intellectual property

rights and in all cultural sectors;

Providing information on available translations in the world

and on the rights available in that respect;

Organising meetings at different levels (minister of Culture,

professionals, etc);

Developing and supporting “portals” on the web related to,

amongst other things, the movie and audio-visual sectors;

Helping create or reinforce networks of cooperation; and,

Contributing to the establishment of a “global framework”

for the promotion of cultural diversity.

.

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Written papers

Now available: please for more information, contact: Division of Creativity,

Cultural Industries and Copyright (e.falero@,unesco.ory ):

l “Developing the Creative Industries in UK” by Mr. Hector Mum-o

0 “Politique culturelle et commerce international - Une evaluation” Note du Secretariat Ctablie par la DG IV (Education, Culture, Jeunesse et Sports, Environnement) du Conseil de 1’Europe avec les contributions de Verena Wiedemann et Jukka Liedes ;

a <( Cultural Diversity-Definitions and Means of Promoting )), contribution au Colloque de Varsovie par Verena Wiedemann

0 “ Cultural and Economic Development through Copyright in the Information Society”, contribution to the Symposium of Warsaw by Ms Milagros de1 Corral, Director of Division of Creativity, Cultural Industries and Copyright, UNESCO, and Mr Salah Abada

l “ Music Industry in Slovakia” by Mr Igor Valentovi

a “Cultural diversity and Book Sector” by Dr Sre koJeluSi

0 “ The Book Market in The Czech Republic” by Alexander Tomsky

a Written paper for the Symposium by Mr. Yuri Nikityuk

0 “Topical Problems of Small Televisions” by Ass.Prof. Lubomir Halatchev, Ph.D

0 fr The Structure and Development of the Film Production Economy in Latvia (1990- 1998)” by Andris Rozenberg, Deputy Director of the National Film Centre in charge of international Relations

a “Public media - leader on the back seat” by Iwona 1 edzi ska-Katarasi ska