The purpose of this experts meeting is to improve understanding of issues regarding cultural diversity at the inter-regional level with a view to guiding UNESCO’s activities in the field of promoting cultural diversity for sustainable development in SIDS and contributing to UNESCO’s World Report on Cultural Diversity currently in preparation.

In order to provide an informed and effective follow-up to the Mauritius Declaration of 2005, in keeping with UNESCO’s priorities, this conference has been conceived to provide a basis for a comprehensive understanding of the issues as they pertain to SIDS with an inter-regional focus. Moreover, it will also emphasis in-depth technical and intellectual content.

The subjects for discussion are:

Islands of encounters: the historical dimension of SIDS cultural diversities;
Heritage in islands: Diversity of sites and types of island heritage;
Contemporary crossroads: Diaspora and identities in contemporary SIDS;
Creative Islands and diverse potentials: Cultural industries in SIDS;
Culture policies for SIDS;
Inter-regional dimensions of SIDS cultural diversities? in relation to sustainable development: Debate and recommendations.
Participants will draft recommendations as a follow-up to ‘Barbados +10’.

High-level academics and researchers from France, Mauritius, Barbados, Jamaica, French Reunion, Seychelles, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Guyana and Fiji will participate in this conference.

Contact: M. Voi <mailto:Mali@unesco.org.ws>, UNESCO Office for the Pacific States, Apia, Samoa

05.- Cultural Heritage