Jordan Times
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
International Congress
on Cultural Rights and Human Development pre-forum begins today
AMMAN (JT) — Rights and Humanity, the International Movement for the Promotion
and Realisation of Human Rights and Responsibilities and the Interarts
Foundation, Barcelona, are organising an expert meeting on cultural rights, to
be held in Amman from 20-23 April 2004, according to a statement released by the
organisers.
Although cultural rights are protected by international human rights law, their
precise content and the scope of the associated state obligations remains
undefined. Furthermore, insufficient attention is paid in policy-making to the
importance of culture for the development of the human potential and
intellectual and spiritual growth. It is crucial that culture and its
contribution to human development appears higher on governmental agenda, the
statement said.
As the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity adopted by UNESCO reaffirms,
intercultural dialogue is the best guarantee of peace. The meeting, held under
the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Hassan, will provide an opportunity
to reflect both on cultural rights and on the contribution of culture to
development.
The primary aim of the meeting is the preparation of an initial draft of a
General Comment on Article 15.1(a) of the International Convenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights, which confirms the right to take part in cultural
life.
The outcome of the meeting will be submitted to the Committee on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights for initial consideration at its next meeting, the
statement said.
The organisers said they chose to hold this meeting in Amman, which was selected
as the Arab Cultural Capital in 2002, in order to enable those participating in
the drafting of the General Comment to learn the Arab perspective of the meaning
of the right of everyone to take part in cultural life.
The opening day of the meeting has been set aside for presentations and
discussion of the Arab perspective on both the right to take part in cultural
life and the role of culture in development.
Prince Hassan will present the keynote address and Sheikha Hessa Bint Khalifa
Ahmed Al Thani of Qatar, special rapporteur on Disability of the UN Commission
for Social Development, will also address the audience. The second and third
days will be closed sessions for the drafting committee, according to the
statement.