Deputy Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr. Armstrong Alexis says CARICOM countries lack the structures, policies and resources to effectively mitigate the impact of any major disaster through emergency aid grants or unemployment payments.
“There has also been insufficient government and private sector investment and incentives for the sector over an extended period of time,” Alexis said, adding that this must be urgently addressed if the region is to build a more resilient creative sector.
Alexis was addressing the virtual launch of the Creative Caribbean: A ‘Play’ Ecosystem for Growth and Development project that will enable significant development of the region’s cultural and creative industries.
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The three-year multi-million dollar Organization of African Caribbean States-European Union (OACP-EU) grant-supported project will be implemented by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the University of the West Indies (UWI) , and the CARICOM Secretariat.
The project is receiving financial and technical support from the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) under a structure aimed at a sustainable cultural industry: Supporting cultural and creative industries in OACP countries.
Explaining the concept of ‘Play’ enshrined in the name Creative Caribbean: An Ecosystem of ‘Play’ for Growth and Development, Alexis said that ‘Play’ is deeply rooted in Caribbean cultural expressions.
He said it is manifested through carnivals and festivals, as well as dynamic musical inventions of the region such as reggae, dancehall, calypso, soca, punta, bouyon, compa, calsa and dennery segment.
“Play” is also engraved on the steel cymbal – the only acoustic musical instrument to be invented in the twentieth century. ‘Play’ is prevalent in the literary work of many of the region’s internationally renowned writers – including two Nobel Laureates for Literature – and through our publishers, who have enriched the global literary canon.
“Play” ladies and gentlemen, is in the wealth of our performing arts in dance, theater and storytelling, to name a few. Through this widespread ‘game’ ecosystem, the Caribbean continues to be culturally expressive, fertile and challenging as it seeks to overcome its weaknesses and challenges,” the Deputy Secretary-General said at the virtual launch on Thursday.
He said he remained optimistic that Creative Caribbean will foster a strong cultural ecosystem that withstands shocks such as those experienced during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Referring to the findings of the Regional Dialogue on Culture, which examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cultural and creative industries, Alexis said it concluded that many CARICOM countries lack the structures, policies and resources to effectively mitigate the impact from any major disaster through emergency relief grants or unemployment payments.
Alexis said national festivals and the Caribbean Arts Festival (CARIFESTA) will benefit from the capacity building activities that will be implemented through the project.
He said this is important as festivals generate direct income from sponsorship, ticket and merchandise sales. Secondary income is also derived through spending on airline tickets, hotel accommodation, car rental, and hair and cosmetic and fashion services for clients; catering, media and promotion, technical support for sound, stage, light and festival management; and street vendors.
“For CARIFESTA to continue to thrive and remain relevant to the people of the region, youth involvement in the festival must be increased and included. A greater attention to the specific needs and interests of young people, to encourage them to participate and participate in CARIFESTA, is vital,” said Alexis, underlining the necessity of youth participation in CARIFESTA.
“The extraordinary performances and expressions of young artists, their creative energy and commitment to the ideals of the festival, are the foundation on which CARIFESTA is built. By putting in place more programs to nurture the creative talents of our youth nationally and regionally and foster their success in the global arena, CARIFESTA is poised to make an even stronger impact in the region,” he said.
CMC/
