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UNESCO-MONDIACULT 2022: Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean advocate for a paradigm shift in cultural policies
The Regional Consultation was chaired by the Secretary of Culture of the Government of Mexico, H.E. Alejandra Frausto Guerrero. It was the fourth of the five regional consultations spearheaded by UNESCO in preparation for the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2022, which will be hosted by the Government of Mexico 28-30 September 2022.
Interventions focused on culture as a driver for peace, the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity from cultural contents to living expressions and the need to strengthen the nexus between culture and education to promote cultural diversity as a positive force for inclusion, the preservation of cultural heritage, cultural rights and creative freedom. The cross-cutting impact of culture across the public policy spectrum was underscored notably across the creative economy for economic growth and employment; the linkage between cultural and biological diversity for climate action and risk reduction; culture and arts education expanding opportunities and competencies. Participants highlighted the multilingual, multi-ethnic and multicultural specificity of the region as a unique asset, testifying to a paradigm shift in cultural policies towards the promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity, and collective and cultural rights at the core of national policies in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region. Several countries also advocated for a better recognition and safeguarding of the historical memory and cultural heritage of indigenous peoples, as well as of Afro-descendant communities, and its significance in regional integration.
Culture as a driver of social cohesion and peaceful societies was voiced as a major priority to be addressed in the context of MONDIACULT 2022 paving the way towards the recognition of culture as a global public good enshrining a commitment to upholding the protection and promotion of cultural diversity, which fosters empowerment, inclusion and the respect for cultural rights for all.
There is no country, however advanced or developed it may be, that does not suffer from a social fissure that needs to be addressed, that does not have a social wound to heal, and this is where the profound power of culture comes in, by providing alternatives and changing reality. That is where culture becomes indispensable and not an accessory.
Throughout the consultation, speakers reaffirmed the importance of their longstanding regional cooperation as testified by the large number of regional integration mechanisms. In the face of the multifaceted impact of the pandemic, a commitment to strengthen intra-regional trade of the creative goods and services was brought to the forefront, notably by developing agreements and targeting focused actions for small and medium enterprises, strengthening the satellite accounts on culture and cultural statistics, consolidating a digital route for the region, as well as developing intellectual property regulations in the digital sphere and collective rights of indigenous peoples and Afro-descendant populations.
Now, more than ever, the creative economy is key to 'rebuilding' and boosting sustainable development, through our entertainment, culture and creative industries. The Orange Economy is the fastest growing sector in the world
Other common interest topics included the development of audio-visual production, the publishing and the crafts sectors, creative entrepreneurship and investment in innovation, as well as strengthened cooperation to curb illicit trafficking of cultural property, notably through preventive action in regions vulnerable to natural disasters.
All participants in the Regional Consultation agreed to bring to MONDIACULT 2022 their commitment to defining shared objectives for a more resilient and inclusive cultural sector for the future.
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As an open and participatory process, UNESCO welcomes all actors of the cultural and creative sectors to join the conversation in the run-up to MONDIACULT 2022.
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