The Ministers of Culture and Highest Appropriate Authorities of the Hemisphere will be reunited for the second time in order to define the priorities together, to analyse and discuss the most urgent challenges of the region's cultural sector and to approve, within this framework, the Declaration and Plan of Action of Mexico. The Ministerial Meeting's sessions and its Declaration and Plan of Action reflect a general concern: What role does culture play in social development and economic integration in our Hemisphere? Under this question, the Ministers will analyze and debate three fundamental issues: 1) Culture as an engine for economic growth, employment and development 2) Challenges faced by cultural industries 3) Culture as a tool for social cohesion and fight against poverty Date: August 23 rd and 24 th , 2004 Location: National Center for the Arts Río Churubusco No. 79, Col. Country Club C. P. 04220, Mexico. D. F