1. Department of Education and CultureOrganization of American States Culture in Development: An Inter-American Information Network Project Description and update Presented by the OAS Technical Secretariat

2. Background Culture Ministerial Meetings within OAS (2002, 2004, 2006): Ministers have reiterated the need for an increased access and greater availability and exchange of information on OAS Member States experiences, programs and policies in culture. Ministers and government representatives from the culture sector and civil society organizations have also expressed the importance of spreading the word: Culture is an effective tool to bring about economic growth and social inclusion in the Americas. Need for Information Exchange on Programs, policy and experiences + spread the word = Culture in Development: An Inter-American Information Network Department of Education and CultureOrganization of American States

3. Department of Education and CultureOrganization of American States Main Components 1.Web-based tool 3.Network of Policy Makers 2.Communication Strategy Access to case studies, programs, policies and research papers (links to other organizations). Online forums and/or blogs for discussion Spread the word: Culture Matters! (culture as an engine of economic growth and social inclusion Connect people in the culture sector. Share experiences, Discuss common topics, find other people who are working on similar topics Culture in Development: An Inter-American Information Network What? How?

4. Department of Education and CultureOrganization of American States Timeframe Questionnaire Design, send, compile answers from Member States Design Comm. Strategy Design Web tool Network of Policy Makers Gather information (questionnaire other research) design information structure, design skins and program website Design, promote, and implement network Sept. – February, 2008March – Nov., 2009 Seed funding already available (CIDA). Other IO will be contacted to establish partnerships

5. Department of Education and CultureOrganization of American States Questionnaire Objective: to tailor project to the specific need of Ministries of Culture and Highest Appropriate Authorities of OAS Member States. Objective: to tailor project to the specific need of Ministries of Culture and Highest Appropriate Authorities of OAS Member States. From September 4 – November 1, 2008: 12 countries have answered the questionnaire. From September 4 – November 1, 2008: 12 countries have answered the questionnaire. Caribbean: Haiti, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago Caribbean: Haiti, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago Central America: Costa Rica, Honduras Central America: Costa Rica, Honduras North America: Mexico, United States North America: Mexico, United States South America: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru South America: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru

6. Department of Education and CultureOrganization of American States Questionnaire (2) Main conclusions: Main conclusions: Tool: Virtual platform Tool: Virtual platform Topic: Focus on cultural industries Topic: Focus on cultural industries Information sources: Universities, research centers, national governments and international organizations Information sources: Universities, research centers, national governments and international organizations Audience: Government officials of various areas (especially: cult., eco., finan.) Audience: Government officials of various areas (especially: cult., eco., finan.) Existing resources: Half of respondents mentioned a lack of on- line resources. Call for links! Existing resources: Half of respondents mentioned a lack of on- line resources. Call for links! Member State contributions: 7 participating institutions offered to share their databases, research papers, and information regarding policies and to share successful experiences. 9 institutions have had previous experience in the implementation of communication strategies and offered to share their expertise. Member State contributions: 7 participating institutions offered to share their databases, research papers, and information regarding policies and to share successful experiences. 9 institutions have had previous experience in the implementation of communication strategies and offered to share their expertise.

7. Department of Education and CultureOrganization of American States Questionnaire (3) Highlights of preliminary results: Highlights of preliminary results: Importance of sharing successful experiences, common mistakes Importance of sharing successful experiences, common mistakes Interest in having access to: Interest in having access to: Case studies and impact assessment methodologies on programs and policies. Case studies and impact assessment methodologies on programs and policies. Policy makers from other sectors as part of the Network. Policy makers from other sectors as part of the Network. Information from various sources (different levels within government, non-profit sector, private sector). Information from various sources (different levels within government, non-profit sector, private sector). Discussion forum. Suggestion: to have a rotating blog Discussion forum. Suggestion: to have a rotating blog Web-based tool: make it easy to navigate so that it is not necessary to have previous knowledge of all topics in order to find information Web-based tool: make it easy to navigate so that it is not necessary to have previous knowledge of all topics in order to find information

8. Department of Education and CultureOrganization of American States Next Steps 1.A professional in communication strategy design will be contracted according to criteria described in project summary. Disseminate the call for applications. 2.Member states wishing to be part of the Advisory Committee will have the opportunity to:  Help define the central message of the communication strategy.  Provide guidelines on the central themes of the virtual platform.  Define editing criteria for online documentation.  Facilitate contacts with institutions in their territory.  Offer feedback on products presented by consultant.

9. Department of Education and CultureOrganization of American States Next Steps (2) Please email us if you: 1.Want to join the Advisory Committee 2.Need information about the TOR for the communications consultant 3.Have questions or comments cultura@oas.org