Panama/Costa Rica, October 21, 2024. Centroamérica Cuenta and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Latin America and the Caribbean have signed a cooperation agreement to promote cultural development, knowledge, and public debate on topics related to sustainable development.
This partnership will enable both institutions -drawing from their experiences- to collaborate on the dissemination and social awareness through cultural products, knowledge, opinion articles, audiovisuals, discussions, books, festivals, forums, or campaigns that support the promotion of values and make local and regional identities visible.
“At Centroamérica Cuenta, we provide a space for the most representative voices from various fields of arts and sciences through different activities. Therefore, this alliance represents a special opportunity for the dissemination of these initiatives and their contribution to development and democracy, which are fundamental aspects for building more equitable and just societies,” stated Claudia Neira Bermúdez, director of Centroamérica Cuenta.
The cooperation will address how arts and culture can be a unifying force in Latin America and the Caribbean and will seek to create spaces for exchange on topics such as democracy, peace, and development, among others.
“Art is a universal channel of communication that transcends borders and barriers, but it is also one of the essential pillars of social and economic development in our countries and the region. That is why we are adding Centroamérica Cuenta to our network of allies in the transition towards sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean, hoping that our joint efforts will generate reflections and promote transformations in favor of a more just and inclusive region,” said Michelle Muschett, regional director of UNDP for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Both institutions will also develop joint initiatives to promote and support the launch of the Regional Human Development Report, as well as the Report on Democracy and Development.
About Centroamérica Cuenta:
Centroamérica Cuenta is a literary festival that promotes critical thinking through literature and the arts. It was founded in Managua in 2013 by Sergio Ramírez, winner of the 2017 Cervantes Prize, and is currently held in two formats: a virtual one that lasts all year, and a face-to-face and itinerant one in cities in the Central American region, the Caribbean, and Europe. It is the most important literary event in the region, and its main purpose is to contribute to the projection and dissemination of Ibero-American literature from Central America.
Its programming includes dialogues, training workshops, book presentations, and poetry recitals where authors discuss and reflect on literary creation, diaspora, identity, writing, memory, diversity, gender, human rights, freedom of expression, democracy, film, music, science, narrative, and journalism, among other topics.
The festival has held more than 400 events, with the most representative voices from Latin America, Spain, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.
More information at https://www.centroamericacuenta.com
About UNDP
UNDP is the lead United Nations agency fighting the injustice of poverty, inequalities and climate change. Working with a broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, UNDP helps nations develop integrated and sustainable solutions for people and planet.
More information at https://www.undp.org/
Media Contacts:
Centroamérica Cuenta
Alba Rodríguez, [email protected]
UNDP
Vanessa Hidalgo, [email protected] (+1 646 338 9462)