Cabinet approves UNESCO convention on cultural expressions

New Delhi, Oct 27 (UNI) The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for the ratification of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expressions adopted by UNESCO at its 33rd session on October 20, last year.

A cabinet meeting approved the ratification of the Convention aimed at protecting and promoting diversity of cultural expression the world over, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said.

He said the cabinet also decided to contribute one per cent of India's contribution to the regular budget of UNESCO to the fund for the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions yearly.

As per the convention, the Diversity of Cultural Expressions is defined as the common heritage of humanity, flourishing within a framework of democracy, tolerance, social justice and mutual respect between people and cultures, traditional knowledge as a source of intangible and material wealth and in particular the knowledge systems of indigenous people, linguistic diversity and intellectual property rights in sustaining those involved in cultural creativity.

The decision would speed up consolidated and effective documentation of different elements of cultural expressions.

It would focus immediate attention of Central and State Governments to formulate programmes for protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions which will promote unity in diversity in the country and international solidarity, Mr Dasmunsi added.

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