Director of Culture, Troy Mills, who gave remarks at the opening ceremony on behalf of the RCC, is leading a three-man delegation which includes Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture, Mr. Tom Buchanan and Chief Executive Officer of the Nevis Cultural and Development Foundation, Mr Jerome Rawlins.
Mr. Mills returned as chairman of the RCC after having served a one-year term in 2018 following his election at the last meeting in Guyana.
The meeting will cover, among other matters, an update on the plans for the hosting of CARIFESTA XIV (14) being held from August 16 – 25 in Trinidad and Tobago. This will also include a site visit for some of the venues for the event.
The premier regional biennial event currently has fourteen (14) members, three (3) associate members and two (2) observer countries registered so far.
This is the fourth time Trinidad and Tobago is hosting CARIFESTA. It previously hosted the event in 1992, 1995, and 2006. The theme for this year’s CARIFESTA is “Connect – Share – Invest.”
The RCC will also be discussing additional matters including creative industry development and a Draft Regional Development Strategy for the Cultural Industries in CARICOM developed in 2012. The Cultural and Entertainment Services Strategy for CARIFORUM, completed in 2017, will be also reviewed and discussed. Reparations for Native Genocide and Slavery and the use of cultural development in the Region’s strategy to reduce poverty and achieve inclusive and equitable sustainable development, will also be featured on the meeting’s agenda.
Eighteen (18) countries including St. Kitts and Nevis are attending the RCC meeting.
