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Diversity of cultural expressions

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Photo: © Caroline Minjolle

Diversity of cultural expressions

At the core of the “UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions” stands an effort to foster an environment in which artistic and cultural diversity can develop freely and be protected from a purely economic approach. Of course, it is true that cultural expressions such as literature, theatre, music, film or the visual arts have an economic value as consumer goods; however, their value is in no way limited to this aspect. As sources of meaning, significance and artistic perspectives, they convey identities and values and thus contribute to social cohesion. As such, the Convention recognises the right of all states to actively shape their cultural policies and to take steps against unrestricted deregulation of art and culture. At the same time, the Parties to the Convention have an obligation to ensure that favourable conditions for a diversity of art and culture can be maintained. As such, alongside cultural policy, the Convention also highlights the areas of policy that impact cultural creativity, the cultural activities on offer and cultural participation – from educational policy, to media policy and trade policy. One major concern of the Austrian Commission for UNESCO is therefore to support a dialogue and cooperation between all those involved.   

News

Invitation - Resisting Pressures: Protecting Artistic Freedom as a Human Right

Invitation - Resisting Pressures: Protecting Artistic Freedom as a Human Right

  • 30th September, 4pm to 6:30pm
  • WUK project space, Währinger Str. 59, 1090 Vienna

A cooperation of Austrian Commission for UNESCO with kulturen in bewegung and VIDC- Global Dialogue.

Resisting Pressures: Protecting Artistic Freedom as a Human Right
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
barrier-free Location: Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
…

Artistic Freedom, Authoritarianism & Alliances

Artistic Freedom, Authoritarianism & Alliances

  • Tuesday, 25 November 2025
The international NGO Artistic Freedom Initiative (AFI) and the Austrian Commission for UNESCO are jointly hosting the exchange event “Artistic…
New video - explanatory animation about the 2005 UNESCO Convention

New video - explanatory animation about the 2005 UNESCO Convention

Culture thrives on diversity. The 2005 UNESCO Convention makes it possible to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions in a…
Event "AI & Creativity" - in pictures

Event "AI & Creativity" - in pictures

  • 8 October 2025
On 8 October, the event ‘AI & Creativity’ took place in the PSK Kassenhalle. During a conversation and panel discussion with participants from the…
Event: AI & Creativity

Event: AI & Creativity

  • 8. October 2025
  • Otto Wagner-Postsparkasse, Wien
How can diversity and freedom of cultural expressions be protected in post-digital societies, and how can transparency and access be strengthened? The…


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Key figures

  • 2005 adopted by the UNESCO General Conference
  • 2006 ratified by Austria
  • 161 Parties to the Convention (160 states plus the European Union)
  • 164 projects that structurally promote cultural creativity in
  • 76 countries of the Global South facilitated by the “International Fund for Cultural Diversity”
  • 266 periodic reports, including
  • 4 Austrian periodic reports (2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024)
  • The role of the Austrian Commission for UNESCO (ÖUK): National point of contact for matters pertaining to the Convention
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