BRCD

Morocco has been very active in the negotiations of the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The consistent position of the Moroccan government has been in favour of the exclusion of cultural goods and services and the broadcasting of such from the negotiations for trade liberalization. This position has been the same as argued by the government during the negotiations of the Morocco Free Trade Agreement with the United States: to exclude any and all references regarding the liberalization of cultural and broadcasting products. The government and involved societal groups are convinced that this is a way to protect the Moroccan culture and the diversity of the country.

This posture reflects the political and social consensus of the country. Not only in the political realm has there been awareness of the need to protect and promote the cultural diversity of the country, but also in recent years many diverse social groups and professionals have emerged that are working in this direction. One of these groups is the Moroccan Coalition for Culture and the Arts, an association of cultural professionals and which has strong links to the Comité International de Liaison des Coalitions pour la Diversité Culturelle (CIL). The Coalition acts as a lobbying group on the Moroccan authorities, but also has mobilized for the defence of the uniqueness of cultural products. For its part, the HACA maintains permanent exchange and dialogue with these organizations.

The Moroccan government has been very active in the creation and approval processes for the “Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression” of UNESCO. Currently, the involved organizations are making a broad effort in the follow-up and dissemination of this Convention.

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