Through the National Development Plan 2018-2022: Pact for Colombia, Pact for Equity, the Government of Colombia positioned culture at the centre of the policy agenda, using it as a fundamental pillar of our country’s economic and social development model and as a channel for community empowerment. To achieve this goal, the Ministry of Culture implemented a set of unprecedented policies and programmes. Among a host of initiatives, Colombia created the National Council for the Orange Economy, promoted Orange Development Areas, passed a national Orange Economy policy through its National Council of Economic and Social Policy (Document 4090) and introduced different measures to finance the creative economy. Colombia also introduced new tax incentives for the sector, including audio-visual investment certificates, tax exemptions for cultural and creative economy companies and a public-private partnership (the CoCrea corporation) that approves investment incentives.
To complement this effort, we seek to strengthen our involvement and influence in regional and international exchanges, cooperation and dialogue to improve understanding of the sector. Through international engagement, we seek to propose new and better opportunities for access to and enjoyment of cultural goods and services. The synchrony between our country and the OECD in regards to the central role of culture in our respective priorities, highlights the importance of continuous strengthening of creative and cultural processes as pillars of development and as essential tools to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Beyond recognising the role of culture in human well-being, Colombia promotes culture as a source of income and wealth generation, seeking to build opportunities by strengthening capabilities, freedoms and cultural rights. Through this approach, the intellectual capital of people underpins the country’s wealth.
The challenge set by the national government was to think of culture as a tool to build citizenship, addressing the need to establish creative, social and productive relationships that recognise Colombia’s diversity, drive inclusion and adopt a territorial lens. To this end, public policy guidelines have been designed to encourage new avenues for local development.
The traditions of different Colombian regions are expressed and promoted not only in the artistic, cultural and creative sectors, but also in many other parts of the economy in which culture and creativity has an impact.
This OECD study shows the results of the National Government's main commitments to this development model, implemented over the last four years. It also shows the progress that has been made in the development of the cultural and creative economy and its local implementation, one of the most valuable aspects of the policy. Through Colombia’s local approach, synergies between different sectors (public, private, academic and the cultural and creative sector) add substantial value to decision-making in Colombia’s territories, placing culture and creativity at the centre of the agenda. Throughout the report, the potential of the Orange/creative economy and its achievements in Colombia are highlighted, setting Colombia as a model for the different issues covered by the review: a) the Orange Economy measurement system, b) the Orange Economy policy framework, c) creative districts in Colombia in an international perspective, and d) the financial ecosystem for the Colombian creative and cultural sectors.
For this reason, the Ministry of Culture has been pleased to be part of this review process. Thanks to the experience and knowledge of the OECD, it is possible to broaden understanding of the cultural and creative industries, consolidating a baseline that becomes an important input for the strengthening, growth and development of culture in Colombia and around the world.
Angélica Mayolo Obregón
Minister of Culture of Colombia