In April, Magdalena Moreno Mujica, Executive Director of IFACCA, joined a network of experts for a series of online meetings to consider the impact of the pandemic on the creative economy, at the invitation of the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB).

During the meetings, which took place between April and August, the network discussed the reactivation of the cultural sector and creative economy post COVID-19; examined the impact and consequences of the pandemic in the cultural sector; and identified measures that could be incorporated into emergency response and long-term strategies.

Ms Moreno Mujica presented examples from around the world; highlighted the importance of international dialogue and exchange to learn from peers in the field during these complex times; and reflected on systemic issues in the creative and cultural sectors that have been accentuated during the pandemic, such as informal working conditions and limitations on legislation and cross-portfolio policy engagement.

The IADB has since published a report outlining the recommendations of the network, which is available to read in Spanish. 

The network was made up of creative and cultural leaders from a range of international organisations, government agencies and private institutions across seven Latin American countries. 

Participants included:

• Ana Carla Fonseca, Director of Garimpo de Soluções, a Brazilian company specialised in economics and creative cities
• David Melo, Specialist in creativity and the orange economy
• Enrique Avogadro, Minister of Culture of the City of Buenos Aires 
• Felipe Mujica, Manager of Chilecreativo, a programme promoted by the Corporation for the Promotion of Production of Chile (CORFO)  
• María Frick, Head of the Culture Program of the UNESCO office in Montevideo
• María García Holley, Director of Arts and Creative Economies at the British Council in Mexico
• Magdalena Moreno Mujica, Executive Director of IFACCA
• Mariana Delgado, General Director of the Centre for Digital Culture of the Secretary of Culture, Mexico
• Omaira Rodriguez, Specialist in creative industries at the Institute for the Promotion of Investments, Exports and Country Image, Uruguay XXI 
• Pablo Rossello, Regional Director of Arts for the British Council in the Americas
• Sofía Lobos, Strategic Planning Coordinator at the Metropolitan Technological University of Chile.