As part of the ongoing dialogue to advance cultural rights led by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the European Centre for Cultural Accessibility (Cemaforre) announced its support for ICESCO’s Draft Charter of Cultural Rights during the 50th session of the International Thinkers Guests of ICESCO Program, held under the theme “Cultural Rights in the Islamic World.” The session was attended by Mr. André Fertier, Writer and Founding President of “Cemaforre,” and Ms. Myrha Govindjee, Director of the Centre and specialist in cultural accessibility.

The session, held via videoconference on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, was opened by Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture Sector at ICESCO, who reviewed the Organization’s initiative to advance cultural rights. He affirmed that ICESCO’s current priority is to ensure that everyone is recognized in their diversity, calling for an approach to cultural rights that takes into account the cultural diversity of ICESCO Member States and enables them to progressively put these rights into practice, as recognition is only a first step.

In his remarks, André Fertier outlined the motivations that led him to author the book “La citoyenneté culturelle: Réalités juridiques, enjeux et perspectives,” (Cultural citizenship: Legal realities, challenges and perspectives) considered the first intellectual work devoted specifically to this concept. The book calls for creating an environment that enables every individual to effectively exercise their cultural rights, and for establishing a form of cultural citizenship that transcends the boundaries of national affiliations.

For her part, Myrha Govindjee presented the book “Culture et handicap. 50 ans d’histoire : L’historique d’un demi-siècle d’évolutions dans les concepts, les politiques et les pratiques,” (Culture and disability. 50 years of history: The history of half a century of developments in concepts, policies and practices) which she co-authored with Fertier. She highlighted the need to develop the concept of cultural accessibility to ensure the full participation of all people in cultural life.

During the session, Sidi Ahmed Djawad, Young Professional in the Culture Sector at ICESCO, presented the Organization’s initiative on cultural rights and the Draft Charter, which comprises 20 articles covering three categories: legislation governing culture, the right to culture, and cultural rights in their comprehensive sense.