The purpose of development co-operation in the field of culture is to strengthen the cultural sector and resources in partner countries and promote active social participation and economic development. This work is integrally linked with promoting human rights, improving intercultural understanding and good governance. Cultural freedom and diversity are also development targets in their own right.

Culturally sustainable development is based on freedom of expression and creativity and it enhances the preservation and development of cultural diversity from one generation to the next. Cultural sustainability demands that development work be carried out in line with the culture and values of the community in question. Culturally sustainable development must be based on the cultural heritage and set of values of each individual nation, in order for it to have the capacity to continue to develop. Limits on consumption, culturally sustainable development and just global wealth distribution are fundamentals in the paradigm based on the principle of sustainable development.

The present memorandum prepared by an unofficial working group of the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs suggests elements to be used as content for the theme of culture and development. The memorandum provides opinions and objectives on the role and potential of culture in development co-operation in general and more specifically from the perspective of capitalising on the strengths and resources of the Finnish cultural sector. These sectors include libraries, communications, creative industries, the system of intellectual property, research into the information society and intercultural interaction as part of public diplomacy.

The document also discusses the European Union’s development policy and investments from the perspective of culture and the foci of Finland’s contribution to international organisations, particularly UNESCO and WIPO. The increasing reach of globalisation and multiculturalism is creating unprecedented opportunities for strengthening intercultural exchange, as well as new challenges for preserving cultural diversity, especially between rich and poor countries. The UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions plays a crucial role in this context.

The memorandum serves to promote co-operation between administrative sectors and ministries in order to secure effective development policy and it proposes a number of measures to develop co-operation and structures from the perspective of cultural policy. The memorandum is not intended to serve as an action programme or policy; instead, its role is to suggest general guidelines for future actions and provide new perspectives for the basis of co-operation.