Teaching Aids at the Pan American Union

When the Pan American Union was reorganized, in 1948, as the permanent secretariat of the Organization of American States, one of the Departments established (in addition to the Departments of International Law and Economic and Social Affairs) was that of Cultural Affairs.* Thus an institution which, in the beginning, had concerned itself purely with material matters-indeed, its original name was Commercial Bureau of the American Republics-came to recognize officially the important r6le which intangibles-the so-called things of the spirit-play in the life of nations, as well as individuals. The task assigned to the newly-created Department can perhaps best be summarized by the word interpretation. Our hemisphere is divided into four main cultural areas, according to the language spoken: English, Spanish, Portuguese, or French. With each there goes a distinct mental outlook and a whole way of life. This is a serious barrier to true understanding among the peoples of America, one which only determined effort can

Political science · Sociology · Education for Peace and Conflict Resolution · Educational Practices and Policies · History