LENORE YAFFEE GARCÍA DIRECTOR OFFICE OF EDUCATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT FOR INTEGRAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES (OAS) September San Salvador, El Salvador

Cultural and creative industries account for about 2% and 8% of the workforce in the countries of the world and offer employment growth above average. They represent, on average some 7% of GDP in the countries of the world. * Currently, 936 sites in 153 countries around the world are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. 156 are in the Americas: Cultural Natural Mixed Exports of cultural goods and services in 2008 reached a total of US$592 billion. Annual growth rate of 14% per year since 2002.* Terms such as Cultural Tourism and Experience Economy highlight the areas in which culture and tourism meet. * Creative Economy Report UNCTAD FACTS AND CONTEXT CULTURAL TOURISM

In the UN World Summit of 2002, culture was incorporated as the fourth pillar for sustainable development along with economy, environment and education. Cultural tourism is an effective tool to overcome poverty in vulnerable rural and urban areas. Cultural tourism enhances cultural diversity and promotes intercultural dialogue.

Cultural tourism allows local communities to take over their heritage and enhance their identity. Cultural tourism promotes economic growth and development of the locality by providing opportunities of professional development for residents. Tourists are major consumers of cultural goods and services (e.g., handicrafts, artistic shows). FACTS AND CONTEXT CULTURAL TOURISM

There is a delicate equilibrium between the economic requirements of rapid growth and the cultural factors, in which the non-negotiable(1) aspects are to safeguard heritage and to improve the quality of life of local populations, in order for benefits to be sustainable. This does not occur by chance, but with appropriate advance planning. 1) Anwareswar Galla, in UNESCO 2005 Culture, Tourism and Development FACTS AND CONTEXT CULTURAL TOURISM

Since the 2001 Summit of the Americas, OAS Member States have considered culture to be an essential factor in integral development. The Inter-American Committee on Culture (CIC) coordinates the ministerial process and monitors the Work Plan defined according to the priorities identified by the Ministers of Culture of the region, and mandates of the Summits of the Americas and the OAS General Assemblies. It is led by a Chair and 4 Vice Chairs. The CIC is composed of one representative of the Ministry of Culture (or equivalent institution) in each of the 34 OAS Member States. The CIC promotes policy dialogue and technical cooperation on cultural policy issues in the Inter-American framework. The OAS Office of Education and Culture, within the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI), serves as CIC Technical Secretariat. CULTURAL POLICIES AND INTEGRAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE OAS

CIC WORK PLAN The "Action Plan to Enhance Cultural Cooperation in the Americas" of the CIC PILLAR 1: CREATING INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES Increasing economic growth and promoting development through culture PILLAR 2: PROMOTING SOCIAL INCLUSION Using culture as a tool for youth participation and for promoting the intercultural dialogue CROSS-CUTTING INITIATIVES 2011: INTER-AMERICAN YEAR OF CULTURE (AG / RES XXXIX-O/09)

Pillar 1: Creating institutional capacity and creative industries Promoting Cultural Diversity and Creative Expression through Education: Exchange of Good Practices - Objective: To enhance the presence of cultural content in educational programs and strengthen collaboration between the educational and cultural sectors. Culture in development: an Inter-American information Network - Objective: To create an integrated network for the Member States, the civil society and the international organizations which will facilitate the creation and the implementation of public policies in the area of culture. CIC WORK PLAN

Pillar 2: Promoting social inclusion Youth in the OAS: - OAS Youth Strategy for the Americas (Follow-up of Resolution AG/RES (XL-0/10): Towards the Establishment of Priorities for the Youth of the Americas) - Action Plan (under construction) Video and field kit: Towards a culture of non-violence: the role of arts and culture - The Remix Project (Canada) - The transformation of Medellín (Colombia) - Art as an expression form for struggle (Guatemala) - Caribbean Vision (several Caribbean countries) Ignite the Americas. Youth Arts Policy Forum - Toronto, Canada (2008) CIC WORK PLAN

2011: INTER-AMERICAN YEAR OF CULTURE The 2011 Inter-American Year of Culture celebrates the diverse cultures of the Americas and promotes the central role that culture plays in economic, social and human development in all communities. More than 100 activities from 20 Member States

Culture in development: an Inter-American information network Internet Portal Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar (Cartagena de Indias, Colombia) University of the West Indies (Cave Hill Campus, Barbados) Technical cooperation missions 11 selected proposals 12 Member States / 18 institutions Portfolio of successful practices Culture, Common Denominator for Development. 18 Successful Practices 3 North America 3 Caribbean 9 South America 3 Central America Project financed by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)

OBJECTIVE The project aims to promote concrete initiatives to enhance access to information on: recent trends in public policies, better mechanisms for sharing information and new ways to harness the transforming power of culture in development.

Practices or projects with at least one year of operation and with results that can be documented. Practices or projects developed by national or local public institutions, civil associations and foundations, private sector and international organizations. Experiences that foster the creation of cultural public policies. Practices that illustrate the relationship between culture and development in areas such as: - Economic growth - Promotion of peaceful relations in communities - Attention to vulnerable groups - Social inclusion - Urban regeneration - Dissemination of democracy SELECTION PROCESS

PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES 1.Argentina 2.Bolivia 3.Brazil 4.Canada 5.CARICOM Member States 6.Chile 7.Colombia 8.Costa Rica 9.Ecuador 10. Guatemala 11. Honduras 12. Mexico 13. Dominican Republic 14. Saint Lucia 15. United States 16. Uruguay 17. Venezuela 18. Cultural Information Systems of the Region

SOME PRACTICES…

Hard copy –Spanish –English Digital –Spanish –English –French cd DELIVERABLES

Increase of employment opportunities and higher generation of incomes in communities with few economic development resources. Development of skills that allow the expression of creative talent, which increase self-esteem and promote social inclusion. The essence of a culture are the people who share and express it. Cultural tourism is not only about archaeological and historic heritage sites. Reduced levels of violence and more opportunities for creating family and community conditions that enhance the general quality of life. Protection of cultural heritage, whether tangible or intangible, and better exploitation of it, for the benefit of local communities. Specific training for those working in the sector along with intersectoral coordination are needed. REFLECTIONS

V Inter-American Meeting of Ministers of Culture and Highest Appropriate Authorities –Culture, Common Denominator for Integral Development November 9th and 10th, Washington, D.C. –Joint Initiative Stratford-Suchitoto VII Inter-American Meeting of Ministers of Education –Teacher Preparation to Strengthen Teaching Practice March Suriname. VI Summit of the Americas –Connecting the Americas: Partners for Prosperity April Colombia. Political opportunities in the framework of the OAS

Highlight the benefits that can be derived from creating synergies between the culture and tourism sectors. Enhance collaboration. Consider cultural tourism within the agenda of the V Ministerial of Culture (Nov 9-10, 2011). Enhance the Portfolio of Successful Practices with a section dedicated to cultural tourism, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experiences. Promote horizontal cooperation between member States on topics related to cultural tourism that are identified as priorities. Promote the development of reliable data, indicators and information systems. Develop joint projects related to Creative Cities. Offer education and training for tourism professionals on topics including natural and cultural heritage, preventing looting and trafficking of heritage sites and goods, and sustainable development. POSSIBLE NEXT STEPS

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