Irina Bokova: Culture Preserves National Identities

HAVANA, Cuba, Sep 18 (acn) During the inauguration of the Workshop for the Approval of a Culture Work Plan for of UNESCO for Latin America and the Caribbean 2016-2021, Irina Bokova, Director General of the organization, asserted that culture is the driving force for the preservation of national identities.

Bokova, who was officially received by Cuban Culture Minister Julian Gonzalez, commented that the meeting in Havana takes place in a moment of great significance: on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of UNESCO.
Likewise, she stressed that henceforth Culture should contribute to eradicate poverty and hunger, as well as to achieve inclusive education and society.
The meeting of Culture Ministers of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which began on Friday afternoon, is an opportunity to strengthen regional strategies in pursuit of culture, added the diplomat.
Among the main actions Bokova pointed out as priorities for discussion at the workshop we find policy development, capacity building, research, raising public awareness, and cooperation mechanisms between nations.
Meanwhile, Julian Gonzalez thanked the director general of UNESCO for her presence on the island in such complex context, which will give even more level to the meeting of culture ministers of the region.