What the Pan American Union Is Doing to Foster the Study of the Spanish Language and of Spanish American Literature and Culture

Abstract

EARLY in the fall, as school and college faculties were making plans for the coming school year, a superintendent of schools in Kansas wrote the Pan American Union, asking how his school-system might become an associate of the Pan American Union, in order benefit from the assistance of the Union in planning school programs. The answer was, of course, that since the United States is a member of the Union of American Republics, of which the Pan American Union is the headquarters and secretariat, all teachers, superintendents and pupils, and indeed all the people in general, are automatically associate members, so speak, with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto. Before listing the various concrete programs of the Pan American Union in the field of cultural exchange, encouragement of the study of language and literature, and so on, let us consider for a moment the less tangible, but no less important aspect of fellowship which is characteristic of this organization, truly international in its plans and programs. Fifty-six years is not very long in the history of the world, but in the history of international organizations it is impressive. The Pan American Union, with its background of continuous cooperation, has increased its activities and services, while holding its fundamental purpose: to promote friendship and close relations among the Republics of the American Continent and peace and security within their borders by fostering constructive cooperation among them. This very international aspect of the organization of the Pan American Union, with staff-members representative of many of the American republics, and with close working relations with individuals and agencies, governmental and private, in all the republics, makes possible a unique contribution the work of educators, in both formal and informal programs in the field of language, literature, and culture. Without tracing in detail the historical development of the interest and services of the Pan American Union in educational matters, it may be