A/HRC/40/53 C. Policy making 14. Changes in law are only one avenue explored by States to improve the fulfilment of international obligations regarding cultural rights. The Special Rapporteur was also glad to learn about measures taken at the policy level to improve access to cultural resources, foster diversity and ensure participation in cultural life. 15. Measures to increase the accessibility of cultural resources include the creation of new cultural institutions, for example in rural areas,26 the evaluation and improvement of accessibility for persons with disabilities27 to such institutions, and the resources they contain, through websites and digitalization. 28 In Bulgaria, a training was conducted in 2016 for museum specialists to enhance access to cultural heritage for persons with disabilities.29 Some Governments have increased their investments in reading, in translation of important works and in library networks. 30 In Egypt, the National Human Rights Institution developed an open library specialised in human rights. 31 16. Some Governments have improved opportunities for all to take part actively in cultural activities by dedicating more support to public cultural events, as well as supporting independent civil society and the voluntary sector, thereby promoting a plurality of voices in the public space. Others have developed promotion mechanisms to identify and support young talent or support artists exposed to threats and hatred based on their artistic activities.32 In Norway, the Government financially supports key stakeholders active on different continents for the protection of cultural rights, including the Arterial Network, the Roberto Cometta Fund, the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, and Arts Move Africa. 33 17. Concerning cultural heritage, interesting initiatives include cultural events taking place in heritage or memorialisation sites, which keeps these sites and the history they represent alive and dynamic, and may promote human rights and reconciliation. A positive example the Special Rapporteur encountered on mission is found in the restored Othello tower in Famagusta/Gazimağusa, Cyprus, where, for example, the eponymous Shakespeare play was staged in Greek with Turkish subtitles. The play was directed by a Turkish Cypriot and featured a bicommunal cast of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot actors.34 The Special Rapporteur also notes Sweden’s launch in 2015 of an online participatory inventory of cultural heritage. 18. Protection of cultural resources and their diversity were fostered by the creation of new posts in cultural institutions, to better protect and preserve heritage and transmit knowledge, but also by the development of intercultural and multi-lingual education. 35 Other policy measures have included the restitution by the Cultural Heritage Institute of Venezuela of the sacred stone of the Pemón “Kueka” to the Indigenous people.36 19. National Human Rights Institutions have also contributed to the revision of educational materials and historical narratives about significant events, taking into consideration a human rights perspective. Another example of positive measures is the review of participatory processes to ensure wide participation in the elaboration, implementation and evaluation of policies and programmes that have an impact on cultural 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 24 Submissions from the National Human Rights Institution of Cameroon, III, §2, and the Government of Greece, p. 6. Submissions from Venezuela, p. 4 and 6, Colombia, and Morocco. Examples received in submissions from Morocco and Venezuela. Submissions from the Government of Bulgaria, p. 1, and the Cyprus Department of Antiquities, p. 3. Submissions from IDC Cultura, Norway, Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture and Morocco. National Council for Human Rights of Egypt, p. 2. Sweden, II, 1, viii. Norway, III, p. 3. A/HRC/34/56/Add.1, para. 74. Examples provided by the Comisionado Nacional de los Derechos Humanos de Honduras, the Government of Colombia, the Institut Royal de la Culture Amazighe (Morocco) and the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria. Defensoría del Pueblo de Venezuela, p. 7.