The International Network for Cultural Diversity has delivered a progress report on the first round of intergovernmental meetings regarding the proposed UNESCO Convention for the promotion of the diversity of cultural contents and artistic expressions. The INCD reports that more than 500 people gathered in Paris from September 20-25, 2004 to commence discussions on the nuts and bolts of a legally-binding convention designed to provide a permanent foundation for government measures favouring cultural diversity. The delegates represented 132 member countries of UNESCO, nine intergovernmental agencies and 20 non-governmental organisations, including the International Network for Cultural Diversity, chaired by Professor Kader Asmal, former Minister of Education in South Africa and Canada. Participants explored the proposed scope of the convention at length, the role of governments and NGO’s, and the need for broader consultation. Although the meeting was adjourned without full consensus on the way forward, organisers felt the volume of nations represented and their willingness to table issues bodes well for the future of the document. A Drafting Committee, comprised of Algeria, Armenia, Barbados, Benin, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, Finland, France, Hungary, India, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Madagascar, Nigeria, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America, will meet from 13-18 December 2004 to formulate the first incarnation of the document, after receiving formal submissions from participating nations. The next meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee will be for two weeks commencing on the 31 January, 2005. Read more from the INCD at www.incd.net