concerning human rights.' The issues embraced include the education of artists, labour and social rights – including rights to establish independent unions and the free international movement of artists and the stimulation of public and private demand for the fruits of artists’ activities. The UNESCO framework provides for a number of obligations imposed on contracting states, including Zimbabwe, which are paraphrased and summarised as follows: (i) Endeavour to promote in their territory the creation of an environment which encourages individuals and social groups to create, produce, disseminate, distribute, and have access to their cultural expressions, paying attention to the special circumstances and needs of women and social groups, including persons belonging to minorities and indigenous peoples on the one hand, and, on the other hand, to have access to diverse cultural expressions within their territory and from other countries of the world; (ii) Ensure information sharing and transparency by providing appropriate information in their reports to UNESCO every four years on measures taken to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions; (iii) Foster the public understanding of the importance of the diversity of cultural expressions through educational and public-awareness programmes; (iv) Acknowledge the fundamental role of civil society in protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions by encouraging the active participation of civil society in efforts by Parties to achieve the objectives of the Convention; (v) Incorporate culture into sustainable development and strengthen international co-operation in support of developing countries by several means, for instance, by strengthening their cultural industries, building their capacities to develop and implement cultural policies, technology transfer, financial support and preferential treatment for 56 | P a g e