Parlatino reviews the situation of culture in the context of the pandemic of COVID-19

UNESCO responded to a request from the Committee on Education, Culture, Science, Technology and Communication of the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (Parlatino) to present the situation of Culture in the context of COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic.

The Committee held an ordinary session on Thursday, 7 October 2021 in virtual mode and heard an address by Ms Caroline Munier, Culture Programme Specialist of the UNESCO Cluster Office in San José.

UNESCO presented global facts and figures that reflect the seriousness of the economic and social impacts faced by the cultural sectors, particularly in relation to the loss of income and livelihoods, but also to the aggravation of pre-existing structural factors, such as the prevalence of informal work and the digital divide, among other issues. She then presented the multiple ways in which these sectors can contribute to social and economic recovery as the health emergency is overcome and, more generally, to fostering sustainable development in its social, economic and environmental dimensions.

UNESCO also emphasized the importance of strengthening inclusive cultural governance through parliamentary activity and urged the Commission to get involved in the definition of priorities and preparation of coordinated actions at the regional level, in view of the World Conference on Cultural Policies, Mondiacult, to be held in Mexico in 2022 (pending the statutory validation by the UNESCO General Conference in a month time).

The Latin American and Caribbean Parliament is an interparliamentary body that brings together the national parliaments of Latin American and Caribbean countries, with the aim of strengthening representative and participatory democracy, as well as promoting development and economic, political, social and cultural integration at the regional level.