U40-Capacity Building Programme “Cultural Diversity 2030”

Fellowship 2009 – 2011

Bonn / Montreal, July 2009

Dear Sir/Madam,
Mr Julio César Vega Guanilo took actively part in the U40-World Forum “Cultural Diversity 2030” (12 to 18
June 2009, Paris) organised by the German Commission for UNESCO and the International Federation for
Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (IFCCD).
The U40-World Forum was the main part of the U40-Capacity Building Programme “Cultural Diversity
2030” initiated by the German Commission for UNESCO in 2007. Following a competitive world-wide
selection process, 50 young professionals from 34 countries were chosen. They developed proposals on how
to implement the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural
Expressions (2005). In this context Mr Vega Guanilo attended the second Conference of Parties to the
Convention (15-16 June 2009, UNESCO, Paris) as an observer.
The U40-programme offers young people under the age of 40 – postgraduate students, PhD candidates,
young professionals, cultural consultants and similarly qualified experts – the opportunity to participate in
the international debate on Cultural Diversity and the implementation process for the UNESCO Convention
on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
All participants of the 2009 U40-group committed themselves to further promote the objectives and values of
this Convention. They will disseminate the ideas and aims of the programme and the Convention through
their networks and through their professional activities in order to increase broader public awareness and
understanding of the objectives of this Convention. They agree that it is necessary to support visibility-
raising projects and activities on the diversity of cultural expressions and on cultural diversity at the
individual national level, as well as regionally and internationally – for example, through activities focused
each year on the 21st of May – World Day for Cultural Diversity, for Dialogue and Development – an
international day designated by the UN.
As follow-up to the U40 World Forum, the German Commission for UNESCO and the International
Federation for Coalitions for Cultural Diversity herewith confirm that Mr Vega Guanilo participates as a
fellow in the U40-programme from June 2009 until May 2011.
We would be grateful if you could assist Mr Vega Guanilo in his effort to bring the UNESCO Convention on
the Protection and the Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions to life and lend your support to his
activities to the extent this is practical and appropriate for your organization or institution.

Yours sincerely,

Jim McKee Christine M. Merkel Anna Steinkamp

General Secretary Head, Division of Culture Coordinator of the U40-programme
IFCCD German Commission for UNESCO German Commission for UNESCO