Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI)

Department of Economic Development

Cultural Heritage

The protection and promotion of cultural heritage were identified as priority during the Inter-American Meetings of Ministers and High Authorities of Culture over the last decades. In 2007 and 2008 three subregional workshops were organized to combat looting and illicit trafficking of cultural heritage (Central America and the Andean region). Members of Caribbean States expressed interest in receiving technical support for the development and preservation of heritage through the efforts of the Inter-American Committee on Culture (CIC).

One of the OAS priorities in the area of culture is to support its Member States in their efforts to preserve, protect, manage and promote their cultural heritage.

Cultural HeritageThe project: "Expanding the Socio-Economic Potential of Cultural Heritage in the Caribbean" is designed to focus on the rich heritage resources of the Caribbean as a prototype of similar initiatives in other regions of the Americas.  It stresses long term planning for conservation, full integration with the political, economic, and social life of the population, and sustainable frameworks for public participation in the coming decades. Read more here.

PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING & CAPACITY SHARING

The Establishment of a Caribbean Heritage Institute and Network to facilitate communication and capacity sharing between heritage agencies, professionals, and students in the participating member states. It will feature online resources and teaching materials and regional directories of heritage studies programmes, heritage specialists, and traditional practitioners. Hosted at the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill Campus Barbados.

PROTECTIVE LEGISLATION & FISCAL INCENTIVES

A Regional Standard for Evaluating and Improving Protective Heritage Legislation and Related Financial Incentive Policies and Laws to provide an instrument to assess and strengthen the effectiveness of protective heritage legislation all countries. In addition, this component will evaluate the potential use of fiscal incentives for property owners to encourage voluntary conservation. Hosted by a task force of regional and legal experts.

INVENTORIES & REGISTERS

A Regional Model for Establishing National Registers of Heritage Places, to document and monitor a wide range of heritage resources through an effective and adaptable register process, for ongoing conservation efforts and risk preparedness. The project is intended to serve as a model to develop and improve registers in the entire region. Hosted by the Antiquities, Monuments, and Museums Corporation (Bahamas) and the St. Christopher National Trust (St. Kitts and Nevis).

» Workshop: The Development of a Regional Model for Establishing National Registers of Heritage Places. See agenda and presentations  

SUSTAINABLE HERITAGE TOURISM

A Sustainable Heritage Endorsement Programme, to implement a new model to help develop viable and responsible heritage tourism economies throughout the Caribbean. It is focused on encouraging the protection and promotion of tangible and intangible heritage among communities that now receive direct few benefits from the regional tourism industry. Hosted and coordinated by theGrenada National Trust.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

A Regional Directory and Curricular Enhancement of Heritage Education to identify existing heritage programmes and courses in the region; evaluate the main gaps in current heritage curricula; and to demonstrate the process of developing online courses to fill curricular gaps in collaboration with the Open Campus of the University of the West Indies.