June 19, 2025
Edited version of Opening Address to the Civil Society Forum, held at UNESCO on 17 June 2025, prior to the Conference of Parties to the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Before European settlement began in my part of the world, in the late 1700s, there were more than 700 ethno-linguistic groups on this continent, each with their own distinct culture, language, and social norms.
My city, Melbourne, also known as Naarm, has long been a significant meeting place for the Boonwurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung, Taungurung, and Wurundjeri Peoples for gatherings of cultural, educational, spiritual, and sporting significance. These groups maintain their cultural integrity in dance, music, art, storytelling, ceremony, language and language revival, warming the heart of the city and surrounds with their humanity, despite the ongoing forces of assimilation and oppression that typically characterise modern nation states and that assumed extreme expression here.
The world is incredibly rich in cultural and linguistic diversity. Yet, the modern nation-state system – made up of 193 UN member states, 2 observer states, and their dependent territories – typically affords privilege to those aligned with the dominant cultural narrative. And therein lies a struggle. Because within the confines of these nation-states, exist more than 8,500 ethno-linguistic groups. The question becomes:
How do we ensure everyone’s cultural expressions are protected and promoted, rather than just those of a privileged few?
In many ways, technology and conflict are evolving hand in hand. Since the birth of the World Wide Web in 1989, we’ve entered a hyper-diverse and super-compressed world, where time and space have collapsed. We’ve seen economic globalisation without a corresponding globalisation of values or ethics. And it’s no coincidence that, since the explosion of social media in 2008, peace has steadily declined, as reported by the Institute for Economics and Peace. In fact, the cost of conflict now exceeds USD $14.3 trillion. According to UNESCO, 75% of all conflicts in the world have a cultural dimension.
If culture-based conflict is so prevalent, then surely culture must sit at the centre of development, along with a deep understanding of how it intersects with human identity.
Today, we gather from across the globe to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the UNESCO 2005 Convention, and to renew our commitment to its principles and reaffirm the vital role that each of us plays in advancing the diversity of cultural expressions.
As Civil Society Organisations, our role is crucial to building cultural ecosystems that are fairer, more inclusive, and more sustainable.
The impact of conflict is real. Current escalations are making it too unsafe for our Tehran-based staff to work. Even in places apparently far from conflict zones, we are witnessing a rise in censorship and the silencing of artists.
A striking example is a decision that occurred in February this year, at the same time as the Intergovernmental Committee Forum for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, by Australia’s principal arts investment and advisory body, Creative Australia, to cancel Lebanese-Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi from participating in the 2026 Venice Biennale, despite his selection through a rigorous, expert-led process.
Under the 2005 UNESCO Convention, Member States are obligated to protect cultural diversity and prevent censorship. Actions like that undermine our collective global commitment to promote and safeguard diverse cultural expressions. A truly just and inclusive cultural world cannot exist without spaces where artistic voices – especially those that challenge dominant narratives – are free to express, reflect, and inspire.
Art and culture give expression to humanity. Without them, humanity is diminished.
The 2005 Convention serves as a powerful reminder that governments must uphold – not restrict – creative expression. The freedom of artists to create and share without fear of censorship, suppression, or cancellation is not a luxury – it’s a necessity.
It is also important to recall that this Convention remains the only binding international legal instrument that recognises civil society as a core pillar in the governance and implementation of cultural policy. Its participatory and co-creative model is not only innovative – it is essential for shaping cultural landscapes that are equitable, diverse, sustainable, and which hold governments to account.
At this time, I offer a moment of silence for those who are currently affected by conflict and genocide around the world. This affects us all.
I draw your attention to the Program and Concept Note, which includes key insights from previous Forum editions, the methodology behind this year’s Forum and the key themes that will guide this year’s discussions.
I sincerely acknowledge and thank the Group of Volunteers who have worked tirelessly since last September, and especially thank the editorial committee who prepared the Pre-Recommendations, which can be found here: Silya Fischer, Valeria Marcolin, Hiroko Tsuboi-Friedman, and Amna Ben Amara, whose expertise, dedication, and thoughtful guidance were inspiring.
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