Cultural policy: Camilo Mena

Abstract

The text, attributed to Dr. Camilo Mena, advocates for the establishment of an autonomous cultural policy in Ecuador and Latin America, arguing that true national independence hinges upon it, alongside political and economic sovereignty. He contends that the region's rich culture has been severely impacted by the Spanish colonial process and subsequent attempts by foreign imperialist groups (especially North American) to destroy local cultural bases and impose their own. The speaker criticizes the mestizo sectors for embracing Spanish culture and being ashamed of their indigenous origins and languages, leading to alienation and dependence. Mena defines an autonomous cultural policy as one that achieves the scientific, literary, and artistic development levels of developed countries, serving national interests and based on genuine democracy without exploitation. Crucially, it must promote original creative output drawing from the indigenous and mestizo past. He argues that in the capitalist system, science and technology, along with the media, lead to greater enslavement and alienation because they serve the profit motive. Overcoming this alienation requires a profound social transformation and structural change—a "great revolution". He urges the preservation and exaltation of authentic indigenous cultural values.