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National Institute of Anthropology and History Says Culture, Key to Mexico's Foreign Policy

Cultural heritage must be the letter of introduction of Mexico abroad: diplomacy based on this theme will boost all areas of economic interest in the country and impact employment generation.

This was pointed out by Alfonso de Maria y Campos, general director of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and Javier Barros Valero, ex sub secretary of Foreign Affairs, during a debate organized to present the 85th issue of Revista Mexicana de Politica Exterior (Mexican Foreign Policy Magazine).

“In foreign policy, Mexico could use cultural diplomacy as designation of origin, since our vast and rich culture is an invaluable element that represents a comparative advantage to promote Mexico interests abroad, as cultural tourism” considered De Maria y Campos.

In this regard, INAH promotes Mexican cultural heritage abroad, generating the image required by the country as well as the interest in knowing our richness. Exhibitions around the world, such as Moctezuma, shown at British Museum in London, United Kingdom, are a sample.

De Maria y Campos declared although tourism is the main employment generator activity, cultural tourism creates twice economic revenue that the “sun and beach” segment.

At the gathering that took place at Universidad Iberoamericana, Javier Barros Valero said that in the globalization process, nations have to participate with a clear idea of their role in the world.

According to UNESCO indicators, Mexico is the 6th country with more cultural heritage just after Spain, Italy or China, nations with acknowledged institutions that work in favor of culture...
Read entire article at Artdaily.org