Pursuant to Section 15 of Act 90 of 15 August 2019 amending Section 4 of Act 11 of 22 February 2011on the legal regime for the recognition, safeguard and development of national crafts, the Interinstitutional Commission of Crafts 2025 met this Monday to discuss the proposals for the contest of "San José Decor," the highest distinction given by the Panamanian State to the Artisan Teachers for their path, excellence and contribution to the cultural identity of the country.

Through a Certificative Act, the Ministry of Culture reported that the period for evaluating the seven postulates of this distinction has been extended. Inter-Agency Commission evaluatingwith a view to strengthening the analysis process and ensuring good decision-making, considering the high level of all participants.

The members of this Commission who were present were:

• Minister of Culture, María Eugenia Herrera.
• Deputy Minister of Culture, Arianne Benedetti.
• Deputy Minister of Internal Trade and Industries, Eduardo Arango.
• Director General of the Authority of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise, Raúl Fernández.
• Director with responsibility for the National Handicrafts Management, Dhavinia de Mares.
• Director of Internal Audit at the Ministry of Culture, Ariadna Batista.
• President of the Folklore Commission at the Ministry of Education, Rafael Medina.
• National Social Policy Director, Social Development Ministry, Gladys Vallester.
• Secretary General of the National Institute for Training and Training for Human Development, Aubrey Oliver Dawkins.

The interinstitutional commission will be held at a permanent meeting while more information and evidence about the postulates and their works are collected, with a view to ensuring fair and documented valuation in accordance with established criteria.

In an exercise of transparency, Deputy Minister for Culture his personal contact with his seven postulated artisanfor explain to them the decision to extend the evaluation processas well as to detail the dynamic to be followed for the final election, to be undertaken by this evaluating commission.

The measure seeks to put an equitable end to the value of artisan work and to give fair recognition to those who have dedicated their lives to preserve and enrich our country's cultural expressions.