Strategy for Inter-Agency Cultural Cooperation Cartagena de Indias, Colombia July 12 and 13, 2002 In the framework of the First Inter-American Meeting of Ministers of Culture and Highest Appropriate Authorities in the Framework of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI), we, the representatives of the following international organizations and agencies: the Regional Centre for the Promotion of Books in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Andrés Bello Convention, the Andean Development Corporation, the Organization of American States, the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, have decided to undertake a joint effort to support the Plan of Action of Cartagena de Indias. We share the conviction that only a partnership among the governmental, nongovernmental and private sectors as well as civil society and international agencies, based on close collaboration, can respond to the contemporary challenges of cultural diversity in the Hemisphere. We will support the development and coordination of an Inter-American Cultural Agenda, in conformity with the priorities established by the Ministers of Culture and Highest Appropriate Authorities of the diverse member states of each organization. This will allow for greater coordination of our distinct contributions so that they may be more effective. In response to the commitments of the Declaration and the Plan of Action of Cartagena de Indias and with the aim of strengthening a cooperative effort, we offer the following contributions: Regional Centre for the Promotion of Books in Latin America and the Caribbean (CERLALC) To offer technical support for the implementation of national policies that promote books and reading. To oversee coordination processes between representatives of governmental organizations, the private sector and civil society involved in creative processes, the promotion of reading, libraries, and the production of and trade in books. According to the particularities of the institutional infrastructure of each country, these permanent forums for coordination may become or have become National Book and Reading Councils. To contribute to the creation of the Inter-American Cultural Policy Observatory, its studies on public policies regarding books and reading, its research on various topics and its study of the challenges facing cultural industries in the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas – FTAA. Andrés Bello Convention To support the dynamics of preservation of the cultural heritage and of processes for the social appropriation of said heritage as a fixed social asset and the foundation of identity. To support measures to update the legal systems of its associate countries in the areas of culture, cultural heritage and community rights, and to provide support to a working group on legislation in these areas. In the framework of the design and development of the Inter-American Cultural Policy Observatory, to pledge to support both the requirements of its associate countries in the generation and enhancement of their cultural policies, in addition to providing financial resources. To contribute through economic and cultural research on social imaginariums and urban cultures, integration processes, whether integovernmental policies or processes resulting from the very dynamics of civil society, and incentives for artistic creation. Andean Development Corporation (CAF) To contribute to the establishment of the Inter-American Committee on Culture and the Cultural Policy Observatory by providing its experience and the possibility of joint measures through its social action program through music, which contributes to the integral development of children and youth--especially by means of the Symphonic Orchestra of Andean Youths, the itinerant Andean Conservatory and, most recently, the Andean Voices in Chorus initiative—as well as its social program in support of crafts, whose purpose is to promote and improve the artisanal sector in the Andean region to make it more competitive. To reiterate that culture is a priority of the agenda for sustainable development of the CAF, as the foundation and tool that determines the values that foment civic awareness, contributes to the inclusion of sectors traditionally excluded from the formal education and labor markets, and strengthens citizenship. Organization of American States (OAS) To promote and strengthen horizontal cooperation between countries in the Hemisphere in terms of cultural diversity, in accordance with the guidelines of the Inter-American Committee on Culture through five mechanisms: 1. The creation of a Permanent Portfolio of Consolidated Programs that promote and strengthen diversity. These programs are shared through a program of internships that allows for critical reflection on the experience and facilitates replication. 2. The provision of technical assistance and enrichment of the items on the Inter-American Cultural Agenda, taken up by the Inter-American Cultural Policy Observatory, with research and reflection by experts. 3. The program of virtual fellowships, which are obtained from the Educational Portal of the Americas (www.educoas.org) and the internship program, to strengthen the transfer of consolidated programs. 4. A strategy for making the most efficient use of the Multilateral Fund of CIDI in the sectoral account of culture. 5. The push for strategies allowing for the establishment of partnerships with governmental, nongovernmental, and private agencies, international agencies, and multilateral banks. As part of this effort, ongoing consultation with civil society through the Virtual Forum of the UDSE. Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI) To coordinate with the Inter-American Cultural Policy Observatory the design and execution of prospective studies derived from the Report on Culture and Sustainability in Ibero-America (ICSI) in the framework of the development of the Ibero-American Cultural Cooperation Agenda (V CIC, Lima, 2001). To propose the implementation of joint technical assistance and training activities in cultural management and policies, heritage (tangible and intangible) and cultural industries, in support of the Declaration and the Plan of Action. To offer its experience in formulating reports on national cultural systems and in preparing for meetings to facilitate dialogue with other cultural forums in Europe and Africa. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) To endeavor in particular to institutionalize instruments for improving information exchange and coordination as well as cooperation activities associated and in conjunction with other international organizations in the Americas, as has been done thus far by the Regional Office for Culture of UNESCO, on the basis of the consensus views expressed by the member states at the General Conferences and through UNESCO’s own regional mechanisms for consultation and cooperation. To advocate these principles in the UNESCO-sponsored Forum of Ministers and Officers in charge of Cultural Policies in Latin America and the Caribbean and in other regional and subregional cultural forums and networks sponsored or supported by UNESCO. To make this spirit an inherent part of the programs and projects related to tangible and intangible heritage, promotion of handicrafts, artistic and cultural training, the promotion of a new paradigm of heritage, artistic and cultural creativity, research and cooperation in the definition of adequate and effective national cultural policies and systems. To pay special attention to coordination and concerted action with international organizations in the Hemisphere in the areas of major global declarations and conventions on cultural heritage and diversity, in keeping with the functions of the Regional Office. Aware of the multiplicity of initiatives emanating from the diverse forums for cultural policy coordination, we propose to combine agendas, unite efforts and direct resources towards the preservation and promotion of the cultural diversity of the Americas. In addition, the International Network on Cultural Policies and the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) have agreed to share information on cultural policies and to participate in cultural activities that may contribute substantively to the achievement of the goals of the Inter-American Cultural Agenda.