The CDCE and the digital era Antonios Vlassis, CEFIR-Université de Liège Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, 6 November 2014.

Three main points  The recent trade agreements and the treatment of cultural goods and services.  The international cultural cooperation and the International Fund for Cultural Diversity.  The participation of civil society within the Conference of Parties and the Intergovernmental Committee.

Trade agreements  1990s: GATS-WTO, NAFTA, MAI-OECD and the cultural exception  2000s: bilateral agreements of US, Protocol of cultural cooperation by EU.  2013: the new approach of cultural exception (EU-Canada) Four strategies  The inclusion of audiovisual and cultural services.  The total exclusion of cultural industries (typical cultural exception)  The chapter by chapter exception.  The Protocol of cultural cooperation.  Recent trade negotiations (TPP, TTIP) and digital audiovisual services (video on demand, catch-up television).  Towards a new strategy beyond the zero-sum approach?  Towards a separate chapter “Culture and Trade”

International cultural cooperation and the IFCD  The IFCD is one of the main tools of the CDCE for promoting the development of cultural industries in developing countries.  71 projects from 43 developing countries with US$ 4.3 million in funding.  Total received contributions $US 6.6 million (asymmetry and irregularity). Three main issues of the IFCD implementation  Major identity problem of the CDCE: Confusion and misunderstanding about scope and objectives of the CDCE.  Identification of the programs dedicated to the cultural development. Ex. Aides aux cinemas du monde, Euromed Audiovisual, Media Mundus, ACPCultures+, Francophone Fund, IBERMEDIA.  Better synergy and coherence among the multilateral funds (prevent the overlapping). Inclusion of the culture in the post-2015 development agenda? Unlikely.

Civil society and CDCE  The CDEC recognizes the fundamental role of the civil society, BUT who participates in the multilateral debate?  13 meetings of CDCE Conference and of Committee: in total 42 NGOs ; only 3 NGOs participated in all the meetings ; 31 NGOs participated four times or less (irregularity); monolithic participation (developed countries and culture NGOs). Three issues: Geographical diversification of the CDCE civil society Thematic diversification of the CDCE civil society Make the CDCE implementation more vital and dynamic.