Havana, September 19 (RHC)-- Respect for cultural diversity as an important element toward sustainable development focuses debates of the 3rd Meeting of Culture Ministers of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which is currently holding sessions here in Havana.

On hand are the culture ministers or their representatives from the 33 CELAC member state and UNESCO's Secretary general Irina Bokova.

Participants are debating different joint strategies, including the setting up of a Regional School of the Arts. Other initiatives include common actions toward the protection and preservation of our peoples' culture, heritage and identity.

During Friday's opening session, Ecuadorian Culture Minister and President pro-tempore of CELAC, Guillaume Long, said that respect for diversity is the best way to protect our countries' sovereignty and national identity and called on CELAC members to fight cultural hegemony practices.

Other issues for discussion at the 3rd Meeting of CELAC Culture Ministers include joint strategies in the common fight against trafficking of cultural goods, the role of information technologies in cultural development.