The Ministry of Culture (MINC) held the seventh edition of Cultural Dialogues, this time with the participation of personalities from the artistic, artisan and folkloric sectors of Greater Santo Domingo and Monte Plata, at the Technological Institute of the Americas (ITLA).
Headed by the Minister of Culture, Milagros Germán, the meeting was attended by Catalina Andújar, resident representative of the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI) in the Dominican Republic; José Luis Pérez, vice-minister of Development, Innovation and Cultural Research, and Omar Méndez, rector of the ITLA.
During this day of dialogue between MINC authorities and cultural managers from the different municipalities that make up the participating provinces, the latter expressed their concerns, suggestions and, above all, their needs regarding the expansion and promotion of cultural activities in the different districts.
“We have discovered strengths and identified weaknesses and opportunities to be able to implement the necessary public policies to guarantee the development and usefulness of culture,” said Minister Germán, who listened attentively to each of the interventions.
At this meeting, Catalina Andújar, resident representative of the OEI, which acts as an international observer to guarantee the transparency of the process, expressed that it has been a source of great joy and commitment for this organization to accompany the MINC authorities in the Cultural Dialogues.
He also indicated that these meetings “will mark a before and after in the way of making cultural public policies in the region”, which, according to his own words, was corroborated by the ministers of other countries who participated in the Ibero-American Congress on Culture held in November last year in Lisbon, Portugal.
Andújar revealed that the OEI is working on the accompaniment and systematization of this process to generate a Participatory Diagnosis of the Cultural Sector and, to this end, specific interviews are being conducted with key actors and focus groups. This document will be used as input for the development of public policies that will have an impact on the country’s cultural life.
The meeting
Among the demands that those present made to the authorities of the Ministry of Culture was the request for the management of pensions for artists, managers, artisans, musicians and folkloric groups of great importance, such as the Brotherhood of the Congos del Espíritu Santo, of Mata Los Indios, in Villa Mella, among others.
Similarly, some of the representatives expressed the need for guidance in obtaining financing for the execution of projects and support for the establishment of cultural centers in their respective municipalities.
Source: Presidencia.gob.do
