Quebec's Agenda 21 for Culture
The Government of Quebec has met the commitment of “integrating culture into all levels of its development policies, with a view to creating conditions conducive to sustainable development” through the development of an Agenda 21 for culture. This Agenda is in the form of a reference framework that establishes the principles and objectives to pursue to make culture a major cross component of sustainable development integrated into its social, economic and environmental dimensions.
Prior to its adoption, Quebec's Agenda 21 for culture was the subject of a major consultative process involving both multiple ministries and civil society, which actively contributed to its development. Quebec's Agenda 21 for culture was adopted by the Cabinet of the Quebec government in November 2011. It serves as a framework that establishes the principles and objectives to be pursued so that culture is a major transversal component of sustainable development that is integrated into its social, economic and environmental dimensions.
The text refers to the principles of sustainable development contained in the Quebec law on sustainable development and puts forth three new principles to take into account in order to attain sustainable development: the preservation of cultural diversity, sustainable use of cultural resources as well as creativity and innovation. Lastly, it defines 21 objectives to be pursued that serve to envision cultural action from a sustainability standpoint and ensure complementarity and mutual support between culture and society, culture and economy, and among culture, territory and environment.
The implementation of Quebec's Agenda 21 for culture is based on three elements:
• A “culture” framework to which all Quebec ministries and government organizations are subject and with which the entire public administration ensures that culture is integrated into its policies.
• The establishment of a charter based on a commitment to encouraging the completion of projects on a voluntary basis, to which individuals can join as individuals, as can civil society organizations, private enterprises as well as governmental and territorial organizations. A platform for communication and exchange will also be created to promote efforts, highlight best practices and build an expanded network promoting collabourations and partnerships.
• The participation of Quebec in international forums to bring recognition to the role of culture in all aspects of sustainable development.