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Front row, left to right: IMLS Director Robert Martin, NEH Chairman Bruce Cole, Mexico's First Lady Marta Sahagún and President Vicente Fox, CONACULTA President Sari Bermúdez, and Public Education Secretary of Mexico Reyes Tamez Guerra with some of the Cultural Ministers of member OAS countries. Click for larger view.

WASHINGTON, DC - On August 23 and 24 in Mexico City, the Western Hemisphere's highest level government authorities responsible for culture reaffirmed the importance of cultural diversity to democratic governance and the need to strengthen the cultural field in order to help combat poverty, reduce social differences, and create jobs. The President of Mexico's National Council for Culture and Arts (CONACULTA), Sari Bermúdez, hosted the Second Inter-American Meeting of Ministers of Culture and Highest Appropriate Authorities of the Organization of American States (OAS). Dr. Robert Martin, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), led the U.S. delegation.

Delegates of 31 OAS member countries examined three central issues: culture as an engine for economic growth, employment, and development; challenges faced by cultural and creative industries; and culture as a tool for inclusion, social cohesion, and the fight against poverty. In their Declaration and Plan of Action, they affirmed the need to value the role of culture and cultural diversity in sustainable development.

Dr. Martin spoke about the work of the U.S. cultural agencies-IMLS, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities- to preserve and provide access to an array of tangible and intangible cultural traditions, including music, dance, storytelling, and crafts, as well as indigenous languages.

He remarked that "The impact of modern digital information technology on all aspects of society-including the cultural sphere-has been enormous." Speaking on challenges for cultural institutions, he highlighted the power of technology to help preserve cultural diversity and share it in support of knowledge societies. "Technology," noted Martin, "can empower indigenous communities and fragile cultures and enable them to foster creativity and cultural interchange." He also said that "A global learning infrastructure could empower the preservation and celebration of cultural diversity; eliminate barriers, and ensure access to-and appreciation for-the rich cultural heritage and traditions of all the world's peoples."

The Ministers affirmed the importance of cultural diversity and creativity in a democracy. "We consider that it is vital for all states to recognize our cultural heritage and fully appreciate and encourage the creative expression of our peoples. We support the need to create and maintain a climate that encourages and fosters freedom of thought, imagination, and inquiry and that promotes full expression and access to cultural activities," states the Declaration of Mexico, adopted at the close of the meeting.

The Ministers also affirmed the need to strengthen the cultural field in order to help combat poverty, reduce social difference, and create jobs. "We agree on the need to strengthen and promote all actors in the cultural field, including cultural and creative industries that constitute one of the most dynamic sectors of our economies, and generate employment and wealth," according to the Declaration.

The role of cultural institutions in a democratic society was promoted at the conference. In his address, Mexican President Vicente Fox noted that "Books and reading are the foundation of the educational program of any country. Public and school libraries are essential to developing a country of readers." He underscored the responsibility of all democracies to respect and preserve cultural diversity, which he called "our strategic reserve."

Together with Dr. Martin, Sari Bermúdez announced an IMLS award of $500,000 to the State Library of Illinois that will encourage exchange among librarians in Mexico, the United States, and other countries.

Full text of Dr. Martin's Remarks
Examples of IMLS projects
September 2004 Highlight: Virtual Museum Project Explores Cultures of the Northwest Olympic Peninsula

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent federal grant-making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners by helping libraries and museums serve their communities. The Institute fosters leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning by supporting the nation's 15,000 museums and 122,000 libraries. The Institute also encourages partnerships to expand the educational benefit of libraries and museums. To learn more about the Institute, please log on to http://www.imls.gov