OTTAWA, April 22, 2010 - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, and the Honourable Paula Marcela Moreno Zapata, Colombia's Minister of Culture, today concluded a working session by signing a memorandum of understanding to increase cultural cooperation and exchanges between Canada and Colombia.
"This memorandum of understanding is another milestone in Canada's relations with Colombia and bodes well for our cultural exchanges in the future," said Minister Moore. "Colombia has a dynamic economy and strong growth potential. These cultural exchanges will help strengthen our ties, while providing mutually beneficial exchanges. Colombians will be able to appreciate the talent of our artists and promote Canadian cultural content in their country. Canadians will benefit from increased access to Colombian culture in all its richness and diversity."
"Canada's relationship with Colombia is broad and diverse. The signing of this cultural agreement will add yet another facet to this important relationship," said Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas) Peter Kent. "This agreement will promote further people-to-people links in an important sector, in the context of our whole-of-government engagement in the Americas. The cultural cooperation agreement will allow the sharing of knowledge and best practices to promote and protect the diversity of cultural expressions. It will facilitate the adoption of measures to support artists and disseminate cultural products and services."
Starting in 2010, Canada and Colombia will work together closely to develop an action plan that includes concrete measures for cultural cooperation and exchanges, with the aim of implementing the memorandum of understanding that was signed today.
Further, the two countries will be able to increase their cooperation in the areas of broadcasting and film, promotion of Aboriginal cultures and languages, social development through culture, protection of cultural heritage, and sharing of specialized knowledge between national conservation agencies.
This cooperation program is helping promote and implement the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, mainly with regard to its international cooperation provisions.
For more information (media only), please contact:
Matthew Deacon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788
matthew.deacon@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
