The International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (IFCCD) has submitted its comments as part of the public consultation conducted by UNESCO on the proposed revision of the Operational Guidelines for the implementation of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in the digital environment.
Through this contribution, the IFCCD reaffirms its commitment to amplifying the voice of civil society in international cultural governance processes. It continues to work closely with national coalitions and partners worldwide to ensure that international instruments reflect the realities faced by artists and cultural professionals.
In parallel, the IFCCD has co-signed a joint statement with several international organizations representing creators and cultural industries, including CISAC, the International Federation of Musicians, the International Authors Forum, the International Affiliation of Writers Guilds, the International Music Council, and IMARA. This document outlines positions that reflect a broad consensus among these organizations in response to the consultation process.
The rapid expansion of digital technologies, generative artificial intelligence (AI), and online platforms is profoundly transforming the conditions under which creative works are produced and distributed, raising serious challenges for the diversity of cultural expressions. In this context, civil society plays an essential role in upholding the Convention’s core principles in light of contemporary realities, grounded in the lived experiences of artists and cultural professionals.
Concerns across the global cultural sector continue to grow. The latest edition of the Global Report Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity indicates that 79% of creators view AI as a threat to their livelihoods, particularly due to the unauthorized use of copyrighted content and the potential devaluation of human creativity. The rapid and still insufficiently regulated development of generative AI also raises issues related to job precarity, respect for intellectual property, and the lack of appropriate remuneration mechanisms. Without adequate safeguards, these transformations risk weakening cultural ecosystems over the long term.
For the IFCCD, the decisions that Parties make regarding the operational guidelines and any potential protocol should aim to uphold and promote human creativity in an environment where AI—particularly generative AI—will undoubtedly play an increasingly prominent role.
The IFCCD underscores the fundamental role of civil society in the implementation of the 2005 Convention and reaffirms the Convention’s potential as a key instrument for shaping cultural governance in today’s context. In a rapidly evolving digital environment, it is essential that the Operational Guidelines continue to fully reflect the Convention’s objectives and contribute to strengthening the sustainable development of culture.