We must strengthen the role of the artist, so that the creative forces behind our cultural expression become an integral part of policy development. We must also recognize that civil society and the private sector have a key role to play in this regard. There are many countries whose Aboriginal populations and minority communities are in decline. These populations and communities are entitled to respect. We believe the Action Plan should call on every nation to promote the knowledge and understanding of cultural and linguistic diversity within every nation, including their own and work to sustain that diversity in the growing global information society.
Culture is the soul of a people and the very essence of nationhood.
It reflects our history, our values, our dreams and our view of the world. And it holds a cherished place in the hearts and lives of every individual and every country. Our national cultures are under threat. Today, there are only 20 million people on this very continent who speak a minority language in their own country, compared to 50 million at the turn of the century. Therefore, it is vitally important to find new ways of protecting our respective national identities so that we can continue to hear our country's history spoken in the language of our people.