To consider culture as a marketable asset is to auction off our soul. The world is not only an open market. The promotion of cultural diversity is the recognition of the right of expression, the right to affirm oneself, to state the desires, the dreams of each of our communities. It would be a great loss for all humanity to see the richness of such cultures as are found here, in Europe, diluted in favour of a world culture. Cultural diversity is as important for humans as is biodiversity for all species on this planet.
Cultural development is also as important to the well-being of humanity as is economic development.
All of us, together, at every opportunity and on all fronts, must expound the need to preserve cultural diversity. It ensures the survival of our cultures, the legacy for future generations and the cultural heritage of humanity. The promotion of cultural diversity is a challenge which we must all adopt at the start of this new millennium. Canada intends to be active in numerous initiatives. We want culture to become a prime concern of the international community.