Develop potential in heritage sector
Culture Minister Stephen Lashley believes that scope of the Cultural Industries Sector has been limited.
“We think of entertainment… What we too seldom remember is that our built Heritage also has the potential to contribute significantly to our national economies,” he told participants of the Organisation of American States (OAS) Showcase of Achievement of Phase 2 of the “Expanding the Socio-Economic Potential of Cultural Heritage in the Caribbean” project held at the Hilton Resort, yesterday.
Lashley said the Caribbean has a history that is riveting. However, he stressed that not enough has been done to recognise that history and to share it with the world.
“We have not yet adequately shared with the world the contribution made by our countries to the development of Europe, or North America. Many of our Heritage places bear testimony to this contribution and to the role played by our enslaved ancestors from Africa and by the indentured labourers brought from Asia,” he pointed out.
“However, I am confident that generally speaking, we are moving in the right direction. The heartening increase in the number of Caribbean sites inscribed in recent years on the UNESCO World Heritage List bears testimony to this. Every inscription declares to the world that that site is one of ‘Outstanding Universal Value’. It affirms that it has made a contribution to the cultural development not only of its home country, not only of this region, but to the cultural development of mankind as a whole,” he said.
Lashley is therefore calling on fellow Ministers with responsibility for Culture and to all working in the area of Culture, to do everything in their power to develop the potential of this heritage sector.
He explained that not only will economic benefits accrue as they enhance their Cultural Tourism product, provide new opportunities for employment and increase foreign exchange earnings, but it allows persons to develop greater confidence in their history and in who they are.
“This Project has been very carefully designed to build capacity in our countries to facilitate the realisation of the potential of our Cultural Heritage. It is up to us to take advantage of the assistance that is being offered by this project, whether it is in, adequately documenting our Heritage places, in strengthening legislation to protect this Heritage, or in ensuring that we produce cultural tourism products and services that are authentic representations of our culture. Let us not fail to grasp this opportunity,” he said.
The Minister of Culture also took the opportunity to thank the OAS and the Permanent Mission of the United States to the OAS for having the foresight to develop the project.
According to him, it could not have come at a more opportune time.
“The realisation of the potential benefits of the Cultural Industries is of critical importance to the countries of our region, and we appreciate the guidance, the technical and financial assistance of organisations like the OAS”. (TL)