The aims of the conference include informing the civil society in the creative sector about the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and its current status internationally and within South Africa. It will also launch a mechanism to advance and monitor the implementation of the Convention within South Africa and between South Africa, African and International partners.

The conference will also facilitate for the launch of the South African chapter of U40. The U40 forum offers young experts Under 40ies – postgraduates, PhD students, young professionals, and similarly qualified young experts – the opportunity to participate in the international debate on Cultural Diversity and the implementation of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and the Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005). More details will be announced later.