ECOPER conducts evaluation research at UNESCO in Paris

The 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression was a milestone in international cultural policy. It is a standard-setting instrument which affirms the right of states to formulate and implement policies and measures in support of cultural activities, goods and services. Within this framework, it encourages governments to commit to protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions.

UNESCO’s Sida-funded project ‘Reshaping Cultural Policies’, for which ECOPER has been commissioned to conduct an external evaluation, aims to support the development of cultural governance systems which are based on fundamental freedoms, and which foster diversity of cultural expression. The project was implemented in 16 countries: Algeria, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mali, Mauritius, Mongolia, Palestine, Peru, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. As part of the evaluation process, ECOPER chief consultant, Aitor Pérez, and associate consultant, Ignacio Rodríguez, visited the UNESCO headquarters in Paris between 8 and 10 March to conduct interviews with stakeholders including the project’s team leader and staff, the 2005 Convention Secretary and the Swedish delegation. Further information is available on the project and its evaluation and other evaluations conducted by ECOPER for UNESCO in the field of culture.