8.1. Linkins between the public sector and civil society
The State and civil society have a role and a responsibility in terms of cultural development and
shall act in coordination, complementing one another.
The Ministry for Culture, Youth and Sports, the central State body for directing, planning,
coordinating and developing government policies on culture, shall be responsible for coordinating the
efforts of the whole of society in the sphere of cultural development.
8.1.1. Competences of the State
In the context of the implementation of the Cultural Policy, the State shall be competent in terms
of:
a) the drafting and approval of legislation and instruments regulating the funding of culture, the
social status of artists and creators and the operation of cultural institutions, and the
ratification of the relevant international agreements and recommendations on various
aspects of cultural life;
b) the creation of a legal framework to guide those involved in the social, cultural, political and
economic development of the country;
c) the approval of legislation for the promotion, safeguarding and preservation of the cultural
heritage and the monitoring of compliance with this legislation within the scope of the
powers of the Council of Ministers as defined in the Constitution;
d) the creation of cultural institutions such as museums, libraries, Casas de Cultura, art schools,
galleries and theaters;
e) the fostering and encouragement of the promotion of cultural exchanges between
Mozambican and foreign groups;
f) the negotiation and signing of agreements and other similar instruments on cultural exchange
with other countries, and the regulation of the running of foreign cultural centers;
g) the promotion of competitions and festivals in order to stimulate interest in cultural and
artistic expression;
h) the promotion of social and cultural and historical research;
i) the promotion of the correct spelling and pronunciation of clan names and geographical
names as a way of respecting the linguistic richness and ethnic diversity of Mozambique.
8.1.2. The role of civil society
As part of the process of implementing this Cultural Policy, civil society can contribute
towards the setting up of institutions designed to develop and promote Mozambican culture at
home and abroad, and can help organize associations and set up enterprises to disseminate,
preserve and develop Mozambican culture. It can also promote the patriotic cultural education of
citizens in such a way that they become more aware of the importance and value of our national
heritage. Civil society can also contribute to the funding of activities to train Mozambican
officials in the sphere of artistic education and cultural administration.
Civil society also has both the right and the duty to promote, sponsor and carry out cultural
initiatives in the various fields such as festivals, competitions, debates, round tables, gatherings,
concerts and exhibitions, as well as to participate in activities to coordinate and assess the impact
of cultural work in Mozambican society.
8.2. Intersectoral coordination
As a part of a multisectoral and multidisciplinary approach, the cultural sector is required to
coordinate with other institutions in order to achieve the goals set under the Cultural Policy. A
number of areas stand out in this regard, for example: education, technology, the environment and
tourism, and public administration.