Mexico Approves Creation of Ministry of Culture

Home to hundreds of unique indigenous cultures, renowned artists and celebrated authors, Mexico will finally see the creation of a Ministry of Culture to help boost cultural awareness both nationally and internationally.

The Mexican Senate approved the new ministry Tuesday after three special cultural committees proposed to create a body to oversee cultural policies and funding. Up until now, the country's cultural decisions were made within the body of the Public Education Ministry.

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What is sought with the new ministry is that “with more order in the sector and better coordination, more resources will arrive, not bureaucracy, but that culture will begin to be seen differently in our country,” said Zoe Robledo, from the left-leaning Party of the Democratic Revolution or PRD.

The senator added that culture is not only for attracting tourism and investment, “but it is one of the elements of the country that influences how (Mexico) is perceived in the world.”

Senator Gerardo Sanchez from the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party or PRI described the new ministry as a timely creation, falling just before the 2016 budget year and will allow the government to disperse and oversee funding in a more organized way.

The Senators highlighted the fact that the new ministry will not cost taxpayers any more money, but is merely a body to design and implement policies.

“It is a good first step … for cultural matters,” said Javier Lozano, senator for the National Action Party or PAN.

The minister added that the government will now try to amend the Organic Law of Federal Public Administration, create a General Law of Culture and “will surely continue to take steps designed to give culture the predominant place as a strategic activity for the Mexican state,” he said.

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