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Disasters Pose Real Threat To Cultural Heritage

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Division of Culture, Prime Minister’s Office, Michelle Maynard, has encouraged governments and cultural practitioners to be in a state of readiness to deal with the social and economic impact of natural disasters on a country’s cultural landscape.

She also suggested that attention be paid to pre- and post-disaster evaluations of preserving cultural heritage by utilising “cutting-edge” conservation and preservation mechanisms.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary emphasised this on Monday, as she delivered remarks on behalf of Minister of Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, during the opening ceremony of a three-day regional workshop on Safeguarding Historical Records in Times of Emergencies, at the Hilton Barbados Resort.

The workshop, which concludes on Wednesday, March 27, is being hosted by the Division of Culture and the Inter-Governmental Committee of the UNESCO 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

Pointing out that a “hands-on approach” was needed to safeguard cultural assets, Ms. Maynard reminded the in-person and virtual audience that the Caribbean was prone to the social and economic impact from natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, droughts, tropical systems and other disasters, which not only caused loss of life and damage to properties but possibly to cultural and heritage assets across the region.

“It is for this reason that the government of Barbados is a strong advocate for the conservation of historical records and the preservation through the digitisation of these documents. Our documented heritage is the DNA of our country and of our people. To ever lose it to a fire, through arson or social unrest, to have it disappear because of an impact of a hurricane, or destroyed through flooding or tsunami, is to erase from the Caribbean, a vital part of our identity, and to remove from the world, a key part of history,” she stated.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary continued: “Caribbean history is world history. So, we are in a race against time and this is not a cliché, it’s actually a fact and we cannot, however, do it alone. Operating singularly and facing these challenges in isolation must be a thing of the past. Through our collective wisdom and combined experiences, I am confident that we can develop creative and innovative ways of tackling many of these issues. And when I say we, I’m also including UNESCO, the Organization of American States, the International Centre for Studies on Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, and cultural civil, society organisations.”

Ms. Maynard maintained that the sharing of information and best practices was key to strengthening disaster awareness and preparedness, adding that she was pleased that it was being held ahead of the start of the upcoming Atlantic Hurricane Season.

“Organising workshops, like the one we’re having today, can inform and guide decision makers, professionals and local experts and to help prepare and respond to disasters before the next one occurs. We have our work cut out for us colleagues. My task here was to basically not to tell you how to do your jobs because you already know how to do that and it’s not basically tell you about the climate crisis, because we’re all aware of that as well. I just want to urge you today to work collectively, to ignite within you, a desire and a commitment to work together beyond this workshop to design and develop strategies for disaster resilience, which can be used as a global framework to mitigate against the detrimental effects of natural hazards,” she stated.

During the session, there were also remarks from the Chairperson of the Barbados National Commission for UNESCO and Director of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, Alissandra Cummins; Head of the Culture Programme in the UNESCO Caribbean Office, Yuri Peshkov; Associate Programme Specialist, Secretariat of the 1954 Hague Convention and its Two Protocols, Anne Besançon; and Director of Cultural Policy and Research, Dr. Donna Greene Rusnighi, who gave an overview of the project: Strengthening and Protecting Barbados’ Cultural Property: The Digitisation and Conservation of Slavery Records. (PR/GIS)

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Remembrance Day Parade On November 10, 2024

Barbados will remember the servicepeople who lost their lives during World Wars I and II, with the customary Remembrance Day Parade and a short inter-denominational service at the Cenotaph, National Heroes Square, The City, on Sunday, November 10.

The parade will commence at 8:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live on national television and radio.

Several armed and unarmed uniformed groups will be on parade, including the Barbados Defence Force, The Barbados Police Service, the Barbados Legion, the Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Prison Service, the Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides.

Wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph by the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Chief Justice Leslie Haynes, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries.

The service will be followed by an informal inspection of veterans and a march-past by uniformed groups. Members of the public desirous of attending the event are asked to collect tickets from the receptionist at Government Headquarters, Bay Street, St. Michael, from Monday, November 4, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

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Key Reminders When Considering Investment Opportunities

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is reminding the public to exercise caution when considering investments in Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes. While MLMs may present themselves as legitimate business opportunities, some can be risky or even illegal, leading to significant financial losses.

Here are some key things to consider before making any investments:

1. Research the Company/Person(s): Thoroughly investigate the background, business model, and reputation of any of the company or persons involved. Verify whether the company or persons associated with the investment are registered and regulated by relevant authorities like the Financial Services Commission.

2. Understand the Business Model: Genuine businesses generate revenue primarily through the sale of products or services, not recruitment of participants. Be wary of models that emphasise recruitment over product sales.

3. Check for Red Flags: Promises of high returns with little effort, emphasis on recruiting others, or pressure to make large upfront investments are warning signs.

4. Consult with Experts: Seek advice based on your financial goals and wherewithal from regulated individuals or companies set up to provide such guidance.

The public is urged to approach all investment opportunities with caution and conduct their due diligence to safeguard their financial well-being.

It is an offence for persons not registered or licensed with the Commission to offer investment advice, sell financial products or deal in securities.

The public is encouraged to notify the Commission of any situations where entities or individuals engage in these practices without being duly registered and/or licensed. (PR/GIS)

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Barbadians Continue To Benefit From UNESCO Training In Cuba

Barbadians continue to benefit from UNESCO training courses in Cuba, despite the country experiencing an island-wide blackout from Friday, October 18.

Three Barbadians are currently in Cuba participating in the Caribbean Cultural Training Hub of the UNESCO Programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, which was organised by the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, and funded by the European Union.

Historian and Genealogical Researcher, Stacia Martindale, is participating in the course Designing Small Businesses in Heritage Tourism Destinations, while Landscape Architectural Technician, Kodi Husbands, and Assistant Coordinator and Researcher of the Barbados National Register of Historic Places, Rhianna Smith, are participating in the course Introduction to the Management of Integrated Development of Historic Centers.

They shared their experiences of being in Cuba and about the courses they are studying.

Ms. Martindale said: “So far, the experience has been very amazing. I’ve been loving the culture of Cuba and the general experience in class.

It’s really been exciting for me. It’s my first time in Cuba. I think I know quite a bit about Cuba just because I’m really interested in History. I’m actually a History teacher, so to come here, where that history has happened, is really, really exciting for me.”

Mr. Husbands, who is on his second visit to Cuba, shared that the first time he visited was on a vacation. “It really resonated with me. I got to understand the culture a lot more [and] I was able to identify with the people after speaking to them about their experiences and how they live. That’s what inspired me to continue working in sustainable architecture and design, and cater for society and the people, rather than doing it for money.

“So far, I’ve found different methods or techniques and practices which can be useful for back home in my field of architecture. And different ways I can further develop my country, whether it’s towns like Bridgetown, Speightstown, or Oistins. Or even smaller communities like in the East Coast, or in St. George or more rural areas as well,” he remarked.

It is also the second time for Ms. Smith, who previously benefitted from a course in June, this year, at the prestigious International Film and Television School of San Antonio de Los Baños, on the outskirts of Havana.

“This experience has been a lot different compared to when I was in San Antonio. Havana is a lot more active and has a lot more to see. And so, I’ve been able to immerse in the culture in ways that I was not able to the first time around,” Ms. Smith said.

She added: “We have been having some tours where we have been seeing examples of not only the restoration of historic sites and buildings, but also the repurposing of those buildings for uses that really fit the community. For instance, earlier this week we visited a daycare. But it was a day care for the elderly which doubles as a day care for babies, and so on.

“And so, what they are trying to do is to integrate those two generations and, of course, develop a consciousness of caring for the elderly. Things like that have led me to conclude that it’s been nothing short of inspiring so far, and I’m just looking forward to seeing where things go.” (PR/GIS)

Caption: From left to right – Rhianna Smith, Barbados’ Ambassador to Cuba, Dr. Sharon Marshall; UNESCO Director Anne Lemaistre; Stacia Martindale; and Kodi Husbands pose for a photograph