OAS Offers Inter-American

OAS Offers Inter-American Training Course
The Organization of American States (OAS), with support of the Ministry of Education and the Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), held a workshop entitled “The Role of the Arts and Media in the Education of a Democratic Citizenry.”  The two-day workshop included panels, conferences, discussion groups and working sessions.  

“To achieve this goal, we must step outside the theoretical guidelines and put concrete actions into effect within our field of action: our country,” said the Minister of Culture. 

Those present at the opening ceremony included Enrique Quiñónez Abarca, OAS Ambassador in the Dominican Republic; José Rafael Lantigua, Minister of Culture and Adalberto Martínez, Deputy Minister for Education.

Celia Toppin, permanent deputy secretary for the Ministry of Community Development and Culture from Barbados and Lenore Yaffe García, Director of the OAS’s Office of Education and Culture were also there along with other international delegates and special guests. 

Speaking at the opening event, Enrique Quiñónez welcomed the attendants and reiterated the commitment of OAS member states to the promotion of cultural democracy through formal and non-formal education. This commitment is backed by the creation, among other actions, of the project “Promoting Cultural Diversity and Creative Expression through Education: Sharing Good Practices,” which is the theme and framework of the training course. 

During his speech, Mr. Lantigua affirmed that the arts and media are two basic tools necessary for the creation of values, aptitudes and perceptions toward the construction of a cultural citizenry. “To achieve this goal, we must step outside the theoretical guidelines and put concrete actions into effect within our field of action: our country,” said the Minister of Culture. 

Celia Toppin and Adalberto Martínez concurred that carrying out these types of activities were of great importance and had major repercussions for the participating countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.  

The aim of the workshop, among other things, was to promote the implementation of educational policies that contribute to the professionalization of the cultural sector.  Taking part were a total of 86 professionals from corresponding governmental institutions and civil society from the 26 OAS members states as well as multilateral agencies.