PM Douglas calls for heightened focus on heritage promotion
By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
 |
|
Prime Minister Douglas
|
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – While addressing the 20th Annual Conference of the Museums Association of the Caribbean yesterday (Nov. 12), Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas urged all stakeholders to take a different approach in recovering the region’s heritage through protection and promotion.
Dr. Douglas informed that in today’s global environment, one has to be practical in approaches in spite of the limited resources and highly competing priorities that governments must attend to in the process of development.
He however indicated that there is an emerging reality that attempts to bring a closer union between tourism and heritage which is required to stimulate opportunities for financial support.
Douglas acknowledged that in the past, there was little sympathy by governments toward the issues of heritage preservation and promotion except in the clearly defined heritage sites as most governments have been preoccupied with the “bread and butter issues of development”.
He stressed that the current circumstances are quite different and governments now perceive the holistic approaches to nation
 |
|
St. Christopher Heritage Society
|
building.
“Most of our islands are enormously rich in history, historical artefacts and historical sites that have or could have enormous economic benefit for our people. It is quite clear however that much of our heritage still remains in the hands of external interest.
Obviously, this is an important impediment to the telling of the full story of our experiences as well as a hindrance in the pursuit of research and certainly of being able to maximize on commercial opportunities wherever appropriate.
“Heritage studies are an important part of education that helps to lift the character of a nation. It is true that generally, there is a shortage of expertise in this particular area.
In some cases, heritage organizations are being run in the region not by formally trained professionals but by dedicated individuals who learn through seminars and workshops to help to build their own capacity. Such persons provide valuable service and we must give them support and encouragement and find ways to uplift what is already in place.” ~~Adz:Left~~
PM Douglas stated that better planning allows each country to clearly define what assets are in their control and which are not, and underscored the importance of heritage promotion in the inclusion of the general public in the work of heritage organization.
He thanked the St. Christopher Heritage Society, Nevis Historical and Conservation Society, Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park Society, National Museum, National Archives and Unique International House Museum for their contribution toward heritage protection and promotion and encouraged all to work together rather than simply undertaking individual projects.
