A/HRC/28/57/Add.1 1. Unity and diversity 63. The challenges are numerous, especially in view of the remoteness of many areas. The official policy of Viet Nam is to promote the “unification” of the country, based on its cultural diversity. The Special Rapporteur welcomes that goal, provided that unity is not equated with uniformity, and stresses that such a goal can only be achieved by ensuring the effective participation of relevant groups in the identification, interpretation, development and management of cultural heritage. 64. The Special Rapporteur notes the information provided by the authorities to the effect that that local people participate in the management of cultural heritage. She stresses, however, that while peoples’ committees are local, they do not necessarily represent the local people, and steps must be taken to open spaces for discussion and to ensure participation beyond mere formalities and unidirectional conveying of information. (a) Top-down approach in the area of culture 65. The Special Rapporteur’s overall assessment is that government policies in the area of culture follow a top-down approach. The media, as well as mass political organizations and social organizations, such as unions, are considered as essential communication tools to disseminate the voice of the authorities regarding steps to be taken and behaviours to be adopted to protect and promote the culture, fine traditions and cultural identity of the Vietnamese people. 66. Communications are disseminated in the languages of ethnic minorities to ensure that all groups understand the Government’s policy. The Special Rapporteur is concerned, however, that government policies to enhance the skills of officials in minority languages are perceived by many stakeholders not as a sign of openness, but as a way for the Government to tighten control over communities. That government policies in the field of culture are viewed with suspicion by some groups should be seen as a worrying indicator, and steps must be taken to overcome the distrust. 67. The prevailing top-down approach does not allow sufficient space for discussion. At present, culture is still largely seen as a means of fostering societal development in certain specific directions, compatible with government policies and objectives, such as following the “model example of Ho Chi Minh” in their daily lives. Certain practices and ways of life, deemed to be favourable to development, security, the environment and the general welfare of society, are promoted in ways that discourage divergent viewpoints and lively debate. 68. The Special Rapporteur expresses concern about the negative impact such an approach has on people’s right to participate in the cultural life of their choice, to conduct their own cultural practices and to freely develop their cultural heritage. She recalls, in that regard, that the right to participate in cultural life includes the right not to participate and to be part of the discussion to determine which cultural practices are to be eliminated or transformed, and how. 69. Concepts such as model “cultural families” and “cultural villages” are also widely promoted to encourage particular social patterns. Selected annually as models to emulate, cultural families and cultural villages receive small financial rewards. The Special Rapporteur understands that such concepts are used to combat problems such as domestic violence and school drop-out, but remains concerned that the overall aim is to ensure strict compliance with government policies in terms of particular ways of life and cultural practices. 70. The Special Rapporteur notes in that respect the specific role attributed to women as “good mothers” who are expected to build “happy families” which are patriotic, progressive and live in harmony. In many countries, women are too often tasked with reproducing the 14