Mr. Speaker, at the invitation of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the ministers of culture of 19 countries met in Ottawa on June 29 and 30 to take part in a forum on the importance of supporting national culture at this time of globalization and of promoting co-operation to this end.
Among other things the meeting led to the formation of an international ministerial network to promote and protect cultural diversity and the establishment of a co-ordinating group comprising Sweden, Mexico, Greece and Canada.
The 10 initiatives approved include one requesting the leaders in broadcasting to promote television's cultural diversity and co-operation with the Organization of American States in order to develop a cultural plan.
The Canadian Conference on the Arts held a parallel forum on culture and co-operation, with over 60 organizations in the arts, culture and development sector participating. This shows clearly—