Americas-Asia / Africa-Europe-Middle East

Two geographical units, Americas-Asia and Africa-Europe-Middle East are responsible for the advancement abroad of Canada's agenda on international cultural diversity, by establishing and undertaking strategic bilateral relations with various countries.

In partnership with other Canadian Heritage branches and portfolio agencies, these units work actively with international organizations to influence and support policy discussions, resolutions and action plans that are in line with Canada's cultural policy objectives overall.

• Bilateral relations
• Meetings
• Americas-Asia
• Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Bilateral relations

Strong bilateral relations provide a solid foundation upon which co-operative international partnerships may be built. These relationships are also essential in achieving our objectives within multilateral fora and our overall multilateral relations, namely, promoting Canada's model and experience in areas including cultural diversity, tangible and intangible heritage, multiculturalism, official languages, Aboriginal languages and cultures, and Canadian content in radio, film and television. Canada is engaged in bilateral cultural discussions with many countries. We have solid relations with France, the United Kingdom and the United States and hold regular meetings with their representatives. In addition to these traditional relations, Canada maintains equally important bilateral relations with countries in other parts of the world. For example, for the Americas-Asia unit, Mexico, Brazil, China, Japan, the United States and the Caribbean countries are strategic partners. In the Africa-Europe-Middle East unit, France, the United Kingdom and South Africa are also strategic partners. These units support the organization of the Ministers of State's program and act as facilitators during visits by international delegations. In both cases, Canadian Heritage aims mainly to meet Canada's cultural policy objectives, specifically by taking part in the international dialogue on cultural diversity.

Meetings

• Third Summit of the Americas in Quebec City
• Creation of an Inter-American Committee on Culture

Americas-Asia

• Canada and the Organization of American States (OAS)

Africa-Europe-Middle East

• Council of Europe
• Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)