I took a long break from Islandheritage-scape, more than a year and in this technological age I fully understand that is quite unforgivable!!!
The reasons are many, but top of the list was my completing my four year of studies in Japan and re-locating to my island home, Jamaica!
The last year and a half has been concentrated on defining and creating a space in the local industry with a degree in World Cultural Heritage Studies. There is no job in waiting with such a qualification especially in a small island where budgets are stretched and priority is rarely given to culture and heritage. The "sell" is therefore always rooted in convincing skeptics of the value of heritage and the enormous economic possibilities associated with the assets.
While private sector is always the ultimate partner and client, governments are essential in providing the policy framework and support systems to bring heritage experiences on a competitive level on the global stage. Communities are also critical in the mix. Without local people, my business would not be a business! It is the stories of people that create the heritage we embrace, market, preserve and safeguard on a daily basis.
While structuring a flexible and diverse consultancy that remains true to both the intangible and intangible heritage assets in SIDS, I hope to share the exciting world of global heritage with students at the tertiary level. In fact, Islandheritage-scape wishes to declare 2013, the year of Heritage education and Heritage economics, wherein small islands 'action' efforts to make cultural heritage an intrinsic part of life. In too many instances, cultural heritage feels 'seasonal'. This is a repeated cry here at Islandheritage-scape, but it is not without merit.
Jamaica is celebrating its 50th anniversary as an independent nation and I am already dreading that much of what is discussed, commitments made by government and private sector alike, will be forgotten as soon as the nostalgia wears off. But I am optimistic that the ordinary man will hold government to its word and demand the changes that are urgently needed to raise the social and economic value of cultural heritage in islands like Jamaica.
One thing is very clear, Jamaica is not and cannot be my sole job market. The truth is the job market is simply small island developing states, whether the Caribbean, Africa or Asia-Pacific. The cultures may differ but the vulnerabilities are often similar and the challenges are familiar enough to apply best practices across the oceans. In the very short term my eyes are peeled on the Eastern Caribbean where slow but steady strides are taking shape in heritage. Back home, Jamaica is also focused on developing its cultural/creative industries. I thank God that I had the foresight and plain interest to hold firmly to intangible heritage, a move that is helping me to weigh in on this growing sector.
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| Barbados was once cited as having the second highest number of windmills per square mile in the world, second only to Holland known as the Windmill Country. Sites such as these make Barbados an especially appealing location to the purposeful cultural tourist. Increasingly, the tangible assets are also becoming valuable features for locals who are seeking to make the spaces functional where feasible. |
2013 is THE Year to break the cycle of inactivity in island heritage. While I could not see it a couple years ago, I believe it is a good time to be 'home' and home for me can be anywhere I make it, at any time. The important factor is that wherever home takes shape, Professionals are needed to guide this inevitable shift in island heritage regeneration, I am only too happy to play a tiny role in that re-positioning.
Thank you for sticking with Islandheritage and I look forward to your "following" throughout the year. As always, we welcome your comments/suggestions.
The kaiwa (conversation) continues.....
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| This historic horse race-track located on a 30 acre parade ground known as Garrison Savannah is one of the spectacular sites which make up Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison listed as a World Heritage Site in Barbados. |
Janice Lindsay
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