UNESCO 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions

In December 2006, Ireland ratified the UNESCO 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, a legally-binding international agreement that ensures artists, cultural professionals, practitioners and citizens worldwide can create, produce, disseminate and enjoy a broad range of cultural goods, services and activities, including their own. Based on human rights and fundamental freedoms, the 2005 Convention ultimately provides a new framework for informed, transparent and participatory systems of governance for culture. The 2005 Convention aims to support:

• National policies and measures to promote creation, production, distribution and access with regard to diverse cultural goods and services and contribute to informed, transparent and participatory systems of governance for culture.
• Preferential treatment measures facilitate a balanced flow of cultural goods and services and promote the mobility of artists and cultural professionals around the world.
• Sustainable development policies and international assistance programmes integrate culture as a strategic dimension.
• International and national legislation related to human rights and fundamental freedoms promote both artistic freedom and the social and economic rights of artists.

Ireland has a sustained track record in supporting artists and cultural and creative operators to develop, produce, promote, network, collaborate and tour their work. More information on measures in place in Ireland can be found in our periodic reports to the Convention.

Ireland’s periodic reports can be viewed at 2012, 2017 and 2020.