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The Mexico City Declaration on Cultural Policies was adopted in 1982 by UNESCO in Mexico City with occasion of the World Conference on Cultural Policies (MONDIACULT). The purpose of the Convention was to set definitions in the international level that would serve as reference for international collaboration the cultural field. The document was drafted by experts in culture and heritage as well as representatives of different countries. I consists of an introduction and 54 paragraphs in which definitions and principles are given regarding the topics of culture, heritage, education, communication, development and cooperation.

Structure of the Declaration
After the intro, the Declaration is formed by definitions of the principles that “should govern cultural policies”, according to the Conference. In this sense, the document explores the following topics: Cultural Identity; Cultural Dimension of Development; Culture and Democracy; Cultural Heritage; Artistic and Intellectual Creation and Art Education; Relationship of Culture with Education; Science and Communication; Planning, Administration and Financing of Cultural Activities; International Cultural Co-operation; and UNESCO.

Content
The text starts with an introduction that highlights the important role of education and culture in the rapidly changing contemporary society. But perhaps the most valuable contribution of the is a broad definition of ‘Culture’, as follows: “… 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 of 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…” Such definition seems to expand the previous understanding of cultural heritage in a more material sense, as it was stated just ten years before by UNESCO itself in the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 1972. The concept adopted in the Mexico City Declaration was a first step to bring international attention towards Intangible Cultural Heritage, which would have its own UNESCO convention in 2003. With that in mind, the Conference offers a series of principles that should be taken into account in the creation of cultural policies, keeping the purpose of international collaboration, respect for human rights, fundamental freedom and the right to self-determination.

Cultural identity
The declaration highlights the importance of the “irreplaceable body of values” or every culture, as well as the importance of the “liberation of peoples” that results from “the assertion of cultural identity”. In this section, some principles regarding the heritage of mankind are also stated, with special focus on the importance of intercultural dialogue, diversity and protection of cultural identities.

Cultural dimension of development
The declaration states that integrity of development policies depends also on the integration of “cultural factors”. It is therefore necessary that all nations include cultural policies within their development plans’ objectives, taking into account “the light of the historical, social and cultural context of each society”.

Culture and democracy
In this section the declaration refers to Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which proclaims that ‘everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits’. To ensure such democratic access to arts by the general public, states must guarantee equal opportunities for all its people and not only to élites.

Cultural heritage
The Mexico Declaration does not refer itself to the previous World Heritage Convention of 1972 to define this particular matter. On the contrary, it gives its own definition of “the cultural heritage of a people” in which both tangible and intangible works are included. It also highlights the importance of preservation of cultural heritage and its relation with “sovereignty and independence”, mentioning the necessity of restitution of works that have been illicitly removed from their countries of origin.

Artistic and intellectual creation and art education
This section focuses on the importance of stimulation for art creation without any kind of discrimination. Furthermore it advocates for the promotion of art education and public awareness in the field.

Relationship of Culture with Education, Science and Communication
The Mexico Declaration on Cultural Policies broadly explains the important role of media as to the extent of their power for spreading information about arts and as educators. Moreover it encourages the use of national languages to communicate knowledge, as well as the strengthening of cultural industries in all countries. For that purpose, assistance should be provided to those countries where cultural industries are not very strong through international collaboration, ensuring education, development and respect for the traditional values.

Planning, administration and financing of cultural activities
The declaration states that cultural development should take place in Member States and therefore budgeting, planning and training in the cultural field should take place, making use of funds from different sources.

International Cultural co-operation
Co-operation between countries should be given in various levels, specially when it comes to favor developing countries. However, this co-operation must be respectful of Human Rights, local costumes, and recognize “dignity and value of all cultures, national independence and sovereignty, and non-intervention”.

UNESCO
The Declaration reaffirms the commitment of Member States of UNESCO and its Secretariat in its labor of strengthening cultural values on the international level.

Significance, use and legal effects
The concept of culture defined in the Mexico Declaration on Cultural Policies was a major innovation in its times for the understanding of intangible expressions of cultural value. Many of the principles mentioned in this documents are largely used nowadays as reference, specially in regards of international co-operation.