In his first address as Minister of Culture, Prime Minister Perry Christie promised participants attending the National Cultural Conclave to give real focus to culture.
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Prme Minister Perry Christie addresses the National Cultural Conclave, which wrapped up yesterday at the Wyndham Nassau Resort.
(Photo : Peter Ramsay) |
During the two-day conclave, held at the Wyndham Nassau Resort, a working draft of a national cultural policy was also introduced.
The document is said to be a "practical manifesto that encapsulates where culture in The Bahamas is today, where we want it to go and how we use the culture to get us there."
Officials say the purpose of the document in part is to safeguard Bahamian cultural heritage; to raise awareness of the importance of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage; and to give a coherent strategic national context for planning and decision-making about culture.
The prime minister said his approach to culture will be similar to his approach to urban renewal.
"When I designed the programme, I indicated to the public officers and to Bahamians that there must be programmes in a country that are not politically controlled," Mr. Christie said.
"Urban renewal taught me to realise that as a politician there are some people, rightly or wrongly, who would not listen to me or follow me, or be induced by me to be a partner in the programmes that are intended to be good for the community."
He also revealed his thinking behind transferring the culture portfolio to the Office of the Prime Minister.
"I want to give you the full opportunity using the office of prime minister to reach our entire country," Mr. Christie said.
Director of Culture Dr. Nicolette Bethel, meanwhile, pointed out some challenges that she said in many instances negatively influence the Bahamian way of life.
"In rapidly changing societies traditional structures are overwhelmed," Dr. Bethel said.
"In today’s Bahamas, rapid change has encouraged, disintegration of the extended family unit, sub-urbanisation of the general populace, socialisation of young Bahamians by the mass media [and] their peers."
Dr. Bethel explained that without a strong and vibrant cultural sector, the imagination of communities throughout The Bahamas would be stunned and weakened.
"The national cultural policy is needed to enable The Bahamas to carve out a strong and vibrant national identity," Dr. Bethel said.
"In The Bahamas, culture is usually regarded as activities and products that are often considered to be separate from the real business of life. However, culture is the entire body of knowledge and activity that defines a people."
- Austin DWI - New York DWI