Mexico City Declaration on Cultural Policies, 1982
Mexico City Declaration on Cultural Policies, 1982
Summary
The Mexico City Declaration on Cultural Policies was adopted by UNESCO in 1982, during the Mundiacult World Conference on Cultural Policies. The objective of the conference and the Declaration was to define new lines of cultural cooperation and closer communication among people.
Therefore, expressing trust in the ultimate convergence of the cultural and spiritual goals of mankind, the Conference agrees:
� that in its widest sense, culture may now be said to be the whole complex of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features that characterize a society or social group. It includes not only the arts and letters, but also modes of life, the fundamental rights of the human being, value systems, traditions and beliefs;
� that it is culture that gives man the ability to reflect upon himself. It is culture that makes us specifically human, rational beings, endowed with a critical judgement and a sense of moral commitment. It is through culture that we discern values and make choices. It is through culture that man expresses himself, becomes aware of himself, recognizes his incompleteness, questions his own achievements, seeks untiringly for new meanings and creates works through which he transcends his limitations.
The main related issues are cultural identity; cultural dimension of development; culture and democracy; cultural heritage; artistic and intellectual creation and art education ; arts education; relationship of culture with education, science and communication; planning, administration and financing of cultural activities; and international cultural cooperation.
The Declaration also proclaims that everyone has the rights to participate in the cultural life and to enjoy the arts. The aim is to open up new channels for democracy through equality of opportunity in culture.
The Mexico City Declaration has expanded the concept on culture and cultural heritage, as well as marked the need to include cultural perspective in development policies. The Declaration highlighted such important issues as cultural identity, pluralism, mutual respect for other cultures, among others. It affirms that the assertion of cultural identity therefore contributes to the liberation of peoples.
Summary
The Mexico City Declaration on Cultural Policies was adopted by UNESCO in 1982, during the Mundiacult World Conference on Cultural Policies. The objective of the conference and the Declaration was to define new lines of cultural cooperation and closer communication among people.
Therefore, expressing trust in the ultimate convergence of the cultural and spiritual goals of mankind, the Conference agrees:
� that in its widest sense, culture may now be said to be the whole complex of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features that characterize a society or social group. It includes not only the arts and letters, but also modes of life, the fundamental rights of the human being, value systems, traditions and beliefs;
� that it is culture that gives man the ability to reflect upon himself. It is culture that makes us specifically human, rational beings, endowed with a critical judgement and a sense of moral commitment. It is through culture that we discern values and make choices. It is through culture that man expresses himself, becomes aware of himself, recognizes his incompleteness, questions his own achievements, seeks untiringly for new meanings and creates works through which he transcends his limitations.
The main related issues are cultural identity; cultural dimension of development; culture and democracy; cultural heritage; artistic and intellectual creation and art education ; arts education; relationship of culture with education, science and communication; planning, administration and financing of cultural activities; and international cultural cooperation.
The Declaration also proclaims that everyone has the rights to participate in the cultural life and to enjoy the arts. The aim is to open up new channels for democracy through equality of opportunity in culture.
The Mexico City Declaration has expanded the concept on culture and cultural heritage, as well as marked the need to include cultural perspective in development policies. The Declaration highlighted such important issues as cultural identity, pluralism, mutual respect for other cultures, among others. It affirms that the assertion of cultural identity therefore contributes to the liberation of peoples.
Documents
Mexico City Declaration on Cultural Policies, 1982
September 2010
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