Historic achievement for Jamaica: Country elected to UNESCO's World Heritage Committee

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Jamaica-elected-to-World-Heritage-Committee-for-the-first-time

Jamaica's journey to this historic achievement has been long in coming and without fear of bias, I would say well deserved!

The accomplishment continues the work of five previous Small Island Developing States that have completed successful mandates on the World Heritage Committee. Barbados is the most recent SIDS to have served (2007-2011) and it is expected that Jamaica as the only small island currently on the Committee will help further strengthen the presence and participation of islands in World Heritage.

Islandheritagescape wishes to extend congratulations to Jamaica's delegation to UNESCO's General Assembly in November 2013, led by Minister of Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna.

Jamaica's will undoubtedly undertake its mandate with distinction. The country is expected to add significant value to matters pertaining to World Heritage and tourism; extending the debate on Outstanding Universal Value (OUV); streamlining regional expertise in World Heritage and establishing sustained public education around World Heritage in the region, as well as creating tertiary level training in World Heritage.

It is my hope that Jamaicans will embrace this historic achievement and seek to exploit the opportunities that will arise from the country's international presence in World Heritage.

I am reflecting on the 2009 article I penned on the importance of World Heritage to the Jamaican economy and wonder if finally this coveted World Heritage Committee seat will help bring about urgent action by all concerned. http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090118/focus/focus4.html