Inter-American Committee on Culture (CIC)

III ORDINARY MEETING OF THE OEA/Ser.W/XIII.5.4

INTER-AMERICAN COMMITTEE ON CULTURECIDI/CIC/doc.5/07corr.1

October 2 - 3, 200728 September 2007

Washington, D.C.Original: Spanish

DISCUSSION DOCUMENT “PLAN OF ACTION FOR

ENHANCED CULTURAL COOPERATION

IN THE AMERICAS(2007-2009)

(Presented by the Delegation of Canada and the Technical Secretariat)

DISCUSSION DOCUMENT “PLAN OF ACTION FOR

ENHANCED CULTURAL COOPERATION

IN THE AMERICAS (2007-2009)

(Presented by the Delegation of Canada and the Technical Secretariat)

OVERVIEW

This paper presents elements of a strategy both to enhance the understanding of culture’s contribution to economic growth and social cohesion within the Americas, and to further strengthen this contribution through concrete initiatives and activities aimed at promoting the development of sound public policies, developing human capacity, and strengthening institutions in the field of culture. The paper proposes undertaking this strategy by focusing on two broad thematic areas that emerge from the priorities established by Ministers of Culture:

Building institutional capacity: Increasing economic growth and promoting development and citizenship through culture

Promoting social inclusion: Culture as a tool for youth engagement and facilitating intercultural dialogue

The paper proposes that the CIC implement this Plan through sixmain strategies:

Policy dialogue
Analysis and research
Technical assistance, project design, implementation and evaluation
Communications
Alliances with civil society, private sector, and international organizations of cooperation
Coordinated resource mobilization

OVERVIEW AND JUSTIFICATION

The 34 Member States of the Organization of American States have acknowledged the fundamental role of culture in the economic, social and human development of the region. The Ministers and Highest Authorities of Culture have met on three occasions, in Colombia in 2002, in Mexico in 2004 and in Canada in November 2006, creating the Inter-American Committee of Culture (CIC) in 2003 to design and supervise the implementation of the OAS Inter-American Program of Culture, coordinate and facilitate the resources to execute the programmed activities, and maintain a permanent forum of discussion on culture and cultural diversity in the region. The CIC is central to the implementation of an Inter-American vision of cooperation in the field of culture.

In the Fourth Summit of the Americas (Mar del Plata, 2005), the Heads of State and Government underlined the linkage between development and culture, and agreed that culture “in its multiple dimensions contributes, among other things, to the preservation and protection of historical heritage, to the enhancement of the dignity and identity of our peoples, to the creation of decent work and the overcoming of poverty.”

Building upon this political commitment, the Third Inter-American Meeting of Ministers and Highest Authorities of Culture, celebrated in Montreal in November of 2006,identified five topics and adopted a List of Priority Activities in Culture for 2007-2008 (see Annex 1), and asked the CIC to begin implementing these activities, with the support of its Technical Secretariat, housed in the OAS Department of Education and Culture (DEC). The approved priority topicsare:

Preservation and protection of cultural heritage
Culture and the creation of decent work and the fight against poverty
Culture and the enhancement of dignity and identity
Culture and the role of indigenous peoples
Cultural information systems (cross-sectional priority)

These topics mirror closely the priorities in culture established in the Strategic Plan of Partnership for Integral Development 2006-2009 of the OAS (Inter-American Council for Integral Development, CIDI), adopted in June 2006. The CIDI Strategic Plan aims to strengthen institutional and human capacity, improve and support the development of sound public policies, and mobilize financial resources. It aims to do this by:

Promoting policy dialogue and coordination through in-person and virtual forums;
Providing inter-American, international, and subregional workshops and seminars to exchange knowledge and experience on successful policies, projects and practices;
Fostering and supporting networks of policy makers, researchers and practitioners; and
Implementing specific projects tailored to the needs of Member States.

Since 2003, the OAS has allocated resources (US$200,000.00 of seed funds from a one-time, non-renewing contribution), and has utilized in-kind contributions from other organizations with common goals, for the execution of specific activities in the cultural sector under this Plan. The main focus has been on horizontal cooperation, and particularly on the sharing of successful policies, programs and practices through knowledge-sharing seminars and workshops (see Annex 2). Member States have augmented these resources through in-kind and, in some cases, additional financial resources, and modest complementary resources have been provided by other partner organizations (see Annex 3).

Following the List of Priority Activities in Culture for 2007-2008, the CIC hascarried out a number of seminars, meetings and events during 2007 and has programmed othersfor 2008. Although these activities have been successful and provide benefits to the participants, the CIC lacks a strategy that presents clearly what it is trying to achieve in terms of tangible benefits to the Member States, such as improving public policies, strengthening institutional capacity and developinghuman resources in the field of culture. A clear strategy would support the mobilization of additional resources that in turn would assure a greater impact for the activities and projects of the CIC.

This document presents to the Inter-American Commission of Culture (CIC) a proposed Plan of Action that combines the goals and the mechanisms of implementation of the Strategic Plan of Partnership for Integral Development 2006-2009 with results of the policy dialogue of the ministerial meetings of culture and the CIC. It seeks to give a strategic framework to future OAS initiatives in the field of culture, to preparations forthe next meeting of Ministers of Culture in 2008, and to positioning culture in key future political venues including the OAS General Assemblies and the Fifth Summit of the Americas in 2009.

The objective of this Plan is to ensure that culture is considered as an important factor for economic growth, democratic stability and social inclusion in the region, and to build capacity in Member States, through the implementation a coordinated agenda in culture that stimulates cooperation among the states and other actors in the Inter-American system.

This discussion document presentsthe conceptual framework of the Plan, objectives, actors, expected results, a notional budget, and a schedule of activities to be carried out. It provides a framework for seeking to mobilize resources from a variety of sources, including the Special Multilateral Fund of CIDI (FEMCIDI), the OAS Regular Fund, specific (external) funds, voluntary contributions, and other sources.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

The Americasconstitute a culturally rich and extraordinarily diverse region where cultureis a source of identity and social inclusion, and a generator of employment and economic growth. The association between culture and development has been a constant in the inter-American dialogue over the last decade.

Recent studies show that cultural and creative industries account for 7% of global GDP (World Bank), and that employment in this sector is growing more rapidly than average for all sectors. Nevertheless, the contribution of culture to the economies and social fabric of the region, and in particular, the potential for cultural policies and cultural programs to strengthen the identity and dignity of the people – especially the young people – of the region and improve their quality of lifewhile enhancing their employability, is not always well understood or appreciated.

Other studies, as well as experiences of the Member States in the design and implementation of policies and programs of cultural development, offer evidence of the positive impact of culture as an integral factor in the fight against poverty. In addition, programs that favor the preservation of heritage and cultural identity facilitate the exchange of knowledge, and promote a greater appreciation and acceptance of the cultural diversity of the region.

Globalization, facilitated by the rapid development of information and communication technologies (ICT), affords unprecedented conditions for enhanced interaction among cultures, which can contribute to improving mutual understanding and respect for cultural diversity. Nevertheless, globalization can also lead to acculturation andhomogenization, challenging cultural diversity. In this respect, intercultural dialogue, facilitated by increasingly available information and communication technologies, can contribute to the preservation of cultural identity and diversity within and outside regional borders.

OBJECTIVE

This Plan aims to provide strategic direction to the efforts of the Inter-American Committee on Culture to strengthen Inter-American dialogue and cooperation in the field of culture.

This dialogue and cooperation have as their central objective assisting Member States in their efforts to incorporate the concept of culture into development plans, design and implement sound public policies in the field of culture, disseminate and distribute information on the impact of culture on development, and build capacity through the exchange of information on initiatives in culture at the national and regional levels.

THEMATIC AREAS

This Plan aims to focus the CIC efforts on building institutional capacity and facilitating the creation of creative industries in order to increase economic growth and development; and promoting social inclusion through culture as a tool for youth expression and engagement and promotion of intercultural dialogue. These two broad thematic areas are consistent with OAS priorities and reflect the realities and aspirations of its Member States.

Building institutional capacity and creative industries: Increasing economic growth and promoting development through culture

This thematic area covers the two priority topic approved by the Ministers of Culture in their November 2006 meeting in Montreal:

Preservation and protection of cultural heritage; and
Culture and the creation of decent work and fight against poverty.

Adopting incentives for the creation of cultural industries and promoting capacity building in arts and culture will lead the region to the development of skills that have direct impact in the job market, including in the sectors related to arts, crafts, tourism, media, and heritage conservation. Building capacity to use new technologies in the culture sector will expose the region’s products and services to new markets, increase employability and income, while strengthening local and indigenous heritage and enabling societies to showcase their cultures and learn from others. In addition, nurturing creativity from an early age, infusing cultural learning into educational curricula, is an important component to finding solutions to social problems, encouraging innovation, and gaining a deeper sense of identity and shared heritage.

Promoting social inclusion: culture as a tool for youth engagement and promotion of intercultural dialogue

Young people influence, and are influenced by, the society around them. Lack of opportunity for youth to participate in the life of society and to contribute to its development and well-being, along with inequity in social, economic and political opportunities, contribute to their marginalization and disengagement. This thematic area encompasses facilitating and strengthening opportunities for youth engagement and intercultural dialogue as means for social inclusion. This area will take the two remaining priority themes adopted by the Ministers of Culture:

Cultural identity, diversity, and dignity
Culture and the role of indigenous peoples

Research demonstrates that long term study of the arts by at-risk youth not only leads to develop artistic competencies but to gain more self confidence, better interpersonal relations, greater capacity to solve conflicts, and a decrease in emotional problems, academic failure and the use of alcohol.

The main objective is to help Member States in the designing and implementation of policies to facilitate the engagement of young people with their communities through culture expressions, and to help communities to better understand their needs and challenges.

STRATEGIC ACTIONS

The objectives of this Plan of Action will be achieved through six strategic group of actions. These correspond to those approved by the Strategic Plan for Partnership for Integral Development, and would be oriented toward increasing dialogue and cooperation among the authorities, to support the development of sound policies and programs of cooperation, to improve the capacity of public institutions, and to strengthen programs of human capital formation in the field of culture in the 34 Member States of the OAS. The strategic actions are:

Continue and deepen the policy dialogue

Meetings of Ministers of Culture (every two to three years) to review priorities
Meetings of the Inter-American Committee on Culture (CIC)in the off years between Ministerials, meetings of Authorities with more frequency, to develop and approve the CIC program of work
Seminars and hemispheric and subregional workshops to share effective and promising policies, programs and practices

Targeted analysis and research based on needs identified by Member States

Studies and research focused on national policy frameworks and policy implementation
Documentation of policy trends, including fiscal incentives for culture
Compilation, analysis, and translation of existing reports from experts

Technical assistance including support for project design, implementation and evaluation

Projects to be presented to FEMCIDI
Design and implementation of multilateral projectsto be presented to other donors
Training programs in cooperation
Workshop in project design
Capacity building activities such as exchanges of personnel, workshops, courses

Develop a CIC communications strategy

Design a communications strategy, to present a coherent and appealing story on how culture impacts life in the Americas.
Design and adopt a CIC “brand”, develop brochure, video
Webcast of all CIC events
Design and update of the CIC website at the OAS to communicate the results of CIC activities and decisions to a broad range of users and to link to the latest information on national and regional cultural policies, instruments and programs; and programs of international organizations and civil society networks in the field of culture.
More fully utilize the OAS electronic forums

5.Strengthen alliances with civil society, private sector, and other international organizations

Enhance participation of civil society, private sector and international organizations in all CIC activities.
Continue coordination with other organizations to join forces and avoid duplication

Adopt a coordinated resource mobilization strategy

Carry out a preliminary analysis of potential partners and donors (see Annex)
Develop a list of potential partners and donors (see Annex)
Enlist appropriate spokespersons from MemberStates and the OAS in making the case for individual project proposals and for the CIC capabilities overall
Set a target for fundraising in 2008, 2009

EXPECTED RESULTS

In the short term, executing this Plan will strengthen the ties between Member States and among institutions in the Inter-American system in the field of culture and provide increased knowledge about policies, programs and practices that have been demonstrated to have positive outcomes.

In the medium term, this Plan will assist Member States to build capacity in the cultural and creative industries and provide increased opportunities for social inclusion of young people by helping Member States to formulate, design and implement sound public policies, develop human capacity, and strengtheninstitutions in the field of culture.

In the long term, this Plan will promote economic growth with equity and help build stronger communities and more inclusive societies in the region.

The expected outcomes are the following:

Improved capabilities of Ministries of Culture, as well as of the authorities at governmental and regional levels, in the design and formulation of public policies that contribute to strengthening of the economy of culture, creating additional opportunities for employment with dignity.

Reports and studies offeringquantitative and qualitative information on the impact of culture in the different sectors of the economy, and on the effects of culture on the different sectors of production, or on the living standards for the population. Efforts included working in cooperation with other entities that have already done work in this area.

Deepened alliances with international organizations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Culture Organization (UNESCO), the Andrés Bello Agreement (CAB), the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), CARICOM, Mercosur, the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI), and others, allowing for the building of critical mass and avoidance of duplication of effort inthe execution of regional and national projects of cultural development.

A communication strategy developed and supported by information tools. Such information tools included an enhanced web presence for the CIC’s activities that sends a clear message that culture is vital for overcoming poverty and building social cohesion in the region and that disseminates information on policies in the regionto governments, international organizations and civil society, and maintains institutional memory on the results of the activities, programs and projects that are executed under the auspices of the CIC.

Programs of cooperation in the cultural sector designed to strengtheninstitutional capacity and social inclusion, with participation of the international bodies, nongovernmental organizations of development and companies of the private sector.

Increased participation of social actors in the initiatives that are programmed and recommendations formulated to the Member States on the policies and implementation of programs and projects of cooperation in the matter of cultural development.

A coordinated resource mobilization strategy, resulting in enhanced availability of funds to undertake cultural cooperation activities, with a goal of [$ ] in 2008 and [$ ] in 2009.

NEXT STEPS

CIC members review document and provide comments, September 17-October 1
Document is discussed, revised, approved at III Regular CIC meeting, October 2-3
CIC members provide suggestions for new projects and activities, October 2-3
CIC authorities, with support of the Technical Secretariat, design and undertake a resource mobilization strategy to ensure adequate support for new projects and activities [from October 2007 onward]
Canada, in consultation with other CIC authorities and Technical Secretariat, develops more detailed communication strategy and designs communication products [dates]
CIC authorities, with support from the Technical Secretariat, develop a draft Work Plan for 2008-2010 [dates]
CIC authorities, with support from the Technical Secretariat, prepare the IV Meeting of Ministers of Culture, tentatively scheduled for approximately November 2008.[dates]
Ministerial Preparatory Meeting, [summer 2008]
Ministerial meeting approves new program of work for 2008-2010, November 2008

SCHEDULE OF CIC ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITIES / DATE
Meeting CIC Authorities
International seminar on Cultural Diversity: practices and perspectives
Seminar Preserving Indigenous Heritage: Traditional and technical approaches
Workshop: Culture as an Engine of Economic Growth and Social Inclusion in the Americas
Third Ordinary Meeting of CIC
Workshop on the Protection of Cultural Heritage in South America
IDB General Assembly
OAS General Assembly
CIC activity on culture and education
Fourth Meeting of Ministers of Culture
Fifth Summit of the Americas / Brasilia- June 26, 2007
Brasilia - June 27-29, 2007
Ottawa - September 25, 2007
Washington, DC, October 1-2, 2007
WashingtonDC, October 2-3, 2007
Colombia, TBD, 2nd half 2008
Miami - March, 2008
Colombia, June 2008
TBD, 2008 or 2009
TBD, possibly November 2008
Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, 2009