<strong>Written By:</strong> jensonj
<strong>Date:</strong> 2005-10-21 14:06:00
<a href="/article/70640625-us-out-in-cold-in-unesco-diversity-pact">Article Link</a>

Calling the text "deeply flawed," the U.S. delegation proposed 28 amendments to the draft, but all were rejected. Delegates voted 148-2 to approve the pact. The United States and Israel opposed it and four nations abstained.

U.S. Ambassador Louise Oliver told the meeting the text was "too open to misinterpretation and too prone to abuse for us to support."

The dispute left the United States isolated just two years after it rejoined the U.N. cultural agency following a 19-year absence over wide-ranging disagreements with UNESCO.

Oliver called the outcome "extraordinarily disappointing" and said it could have lasting consequences on relations between the U.S. government and UNESCO, although she stopped short of threatening a new withdrawal.

"I would say that we're not currently considering any such possibilities, but obviously this process is going to raise some questions that will have to be discussed when I get back to Washington," she said in an interview.

UNESCO's biannual general conference did reach consensus agreements for a declaration on bioethics and a convention against doping in sports, but U.S. officials said other members weren't willing to compromise on the cultural diversity pact.

"This convention is different. It has been handled differently. It does not have the process of dialogue and openness and transparency that the others have had," Oliver told The Associated Press.

Britain, speaking on behalf of the EU because it holds the rotating presidency of the 25-nation bloc, said Monday that there had been ample debate on the convention and urged UNESCO members to approve the text without changes.

Timothy Craddock, the British ambassador to UNESCO, hailed the text's passage Thursday.

"With this convention, cultural diversity, currently under threat particularly in the poorest countries, will become a right we all share," he said. "Just as much as we shall all share the duty to preserve it."

The convention needs to be ratified separately by 30 member states.

<a href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1103AP_UNESCO_Culture_Vote.html">http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1103AP_UNESCO_Culture_Vote.html</a>




[Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on October 24, 2005]

   

The Americans immediately stated that the laws of UNESCO were not valid. They further stated it would cost Hollywod great sums of money. It maters not who's culture is effected as long as the USA and Holywood make profit. Globalization of cultures cannot be. This is one battle the Americans have been fighting for years. They can't win no mater how many "win the war" movies Hollywood puts out. Even Euro-Disney is being ignored. France has and will spend millions to keep their own culture and unless the USA finds WMD in Paris, they won't defeat the French.

   

Maybe this will encourage American film companies to make more globalized movies. Movies that resonate with a globalized audience. I believe just like music, movies will have to be not so clear on their definition, open for a wide interpretation from the audience. These types of movies will be able to get through any of those "cultural protectionism" barriers. In the music industry we have European bands owning the charts in America, and you have American bands owning the charts in Europe. Canadian bands on the charts in Europe and the U.S, just as you have European and U.S bands on the Canadian charts.

Question is could a movie be made to have the same type of open interpretation as music does? If there are any movie experts reading, maybe you can share some movies you think have been able to resonate with many different cultures and be open to many different interpretations.

Most American made movies are very easy to interpret. America wins all wars, America owns all hero's, America is the only country affected by possible meteor collission, America is the only country that will experience the Rapture (if one believes).

In my opinion the only problem different cultures are having with movies and their fears of the affects on the culture, is the fact that the major movie companies in the U.S don't tap into a deeper meaning that resonates with them. Something that is more old and pure beyond cultural differences. This is something music artist have been able to do.

Kevin

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Acoustic Guitar: This machine will kill facist.- Woody Guthrie

   

No wonder: The US has no diversity - only the melting pot.

(The fact that there is currently a meltdown, is also true.)

And if something has not happened in the US, it just has not happened. The first history date that the kids learn is about Christopher Columbus, so anything that occurred prior to 1492, also did not happen.

   

>
>so anything that occurred prior to 1492, also did not >happen.
>

Very interesting point. Does that also go for how Christianity is practiced by the right wing Christians?

Kevin

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Acoustic Guitar: This machine will kill facist.- Woody Guthrie

   

Does that go for the cultures which predated those existing in north america in 1492? Does that go for pre-homo sapien inhabitants?

   

Many Americans think everything started with the Mayflower.