Workshop on Culture and Economic and Social Advancement in the Americas

The International Workshop, “Culture as an Engine of Economic Growth and Social Inclusion in the Americas,” was organized by the Organization of American States (OAS), in association with Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The program took place October 1-2, 2007, at OAS Headquarters in Washington, DC.

 

The program gathered policy-makers and NGO representatives in order to facilitate discussion concerning the expansion of cultural industries throughout the Hemisphere. Key areas explored during the workshop included strategies for increasing financial investment in the cultural sector and providing greater training for industry
professionals. The conference featured presentations by OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, and IDB President, Luis Alberto Moreno.

 

Miguel Insulza emphasized the cultural industry’s proven capacity to spur economic growth in the Americas. Insulza argued that development of this sector could serve as a means of generating substantial employment opportunities, and could thus contribute to poverty alleviation
and social integration. The Secretary General indicated that in order to adequately assess the industry’s ability to increase social and economic advancement, mechanisms to measure culture’s role in economic growth must be developed.

 

Luis Alberto Moreno stressed the measurable economic gains acheived in industrialized nations via investment in the cultural sector — as much as seven percent of gross domestic
product in some countries.

 

GFDD and FUNGLODE support initiatives to develop the industry. Their Multimedia Arts Industry and Dominican Republic Global Film Festival significantly contribute to advancing the cultural sector, in the Dominican Republic and throughout the Region.

 

List of
Participants

Proyecto Preliminar de Temario

Proyecto de Calendario

Discussion Paper – Plan for Cultural Development

 

 

See conference videos:

Taller internacional: La cultura como motor del crecimiento económico y la inclusión social en las Américas

http://www.oas.org/OASpage/videosondemand/home_spa/videos_query.asp?sCodigo=07-0275

 

III Reunión Ordinaria del Comité Interamericano sobre cultura, 2 de octubre