THE CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN POLICY STRATEGIES: THE DISCUSSION FOR “AGENDA 21 FOR CULTURE” MODEL IN TURKEY

Abstract

Cultural Rights are the basic rights, being concern into representation of art, language, free intellectual speech and traditional or modern culture, all perceived in the widest sense. The aim of preserving these rights is going in a way by respecting people, specific groups or communities to tap into their own culture. Today, cultural rights are accepted as second generation human rights that are upon the sustentation of culture with its absolute musts such as respect for human and human past, esteem and responsibility. Many different cultural sectors in politics such as history, historiography, music, language, education, presentation, dance, tangible assets, cultural or artistic production and reproduction, management and access for heritage and intellectual property can be subtopics of cultural politics. Introducing restrictions and limitations for human rights is equal to touching a sore spot in politics and constitutional law. Indeed, limitation for basic right was also accepted as a must in both United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 29) and the main principle known as democratic society order proposed by European Convention on Human Rights (Article 8) in order to conserve national interests. The 13th article in the constitutional law of Turkish Republic also upholds the same rationale for national interests’ preserving, added up the illustrious principle as “the rule of proportionality”. Understanding the rule of proportionality for judicious actions, we need to discuss the special type of justice issue in political praxis and subcategories. Addressing the new concepts as “cultural justice” and “etho-cultural outlook”, bandied about the rights of minorities and local people in cultural sector by Gregory Paul Meyjes who is an associate professor of linguistics at Kennesaw State University of United States, we may find the exact or closest foot rule for bringing limitations for cultural rights in institutional efforts. The base document as Agenda 21 for Culture, which was approved by UN-HABITAT and UNESCO in 2004, can be helpful on finding the right for proportionality and strategic background for local cultural politics This study analyses cultural justice concept for Middle Eastern Countries and Turkey at local and its reflection on behalf of political life, through institutional contributors in available opportunities. Local and foreign literature, legal texts and strategy documents along was studied to investigate, if this concept was put across or not.

Keywords

• Agenda 21 for culture, Limitation of Rights, Rights at Local, Cultural Politics, Cultural Rights.