Ministry extends public discussion on culture
(CNS): The premier’s ministry has extended the public consultation period on its draft National Culture and Heritage Policy and Strategic Plan. In his role as culture minister, Alden McLaughlin said he was excited about the reactions from the public so far and it was appropriate to give people even more time. “As a result of requests from the many members of the public, the ministry has decided to move the deadline to 31 January in order to receive even more feedback.”
The ministry recently held three open house sessions on Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. During each meeting the ministry had engaging conversations with members of the public and received feedback on different sections of the draft policy.
Ministry leaders and the steering committee behind the creation of the draft policy urge the public to continue to review the draft policy and strategic plan, and submit all feedback.
“This draft policy is just the foundation for many good things to come,” said Roy McTaggart, the councillor in the premier’s minsitry. “I would sincerely like to thank everyone who has contributed their time and given their feedback thus far, and we look forward to even more valuable input.”
A copy of the draft policy, frequently asked questions (FAQ) and a feedback form will continue to be available at the front desk of the Government Administration Building, online and at all district libraries. Members of the public can also access the feedback survey here .
Chief officer in the culture ministry, Jennifer Ahearn, said everyone who has a voice should be heard, questions answered and concerns addressed before the policy is finalised.
“We want to ensure the public has enough time to review this policy and allow for any input or feedback on the vision, values and core objectives,” she added.
For more information, see the National Culture and Heritage Policy and Strategic Plan for the Cayman Islands’ Facebook page or visit the website.
Category: Community, Local News, Policy, Politics
Culture? What culture? Whose culture? Go to South Church St. Market and see the color representation of the articles, like caps, belts, braces, hair adorns; open up Chanel 27 of local tv and you will see programs which were aired fifty years ago on a foreign country; our artists and musicians have adopted an image the is not Caymanian; Heritage Days have transformed into a commercial enterprise; look at this article and see the names of persons involved in “creating” our culture.
Cayman culture nowadays is a fake.
Culture cannot be legislated or recreated; it is or is not.
Culture is a process created and maintained alive by generations and in Cayman’s case, the external influences have gotten the upper hand.
The comment of 25/1/17 @ 2:54 by Anonymous sums up the dilemma.
If Alden has to get his “excitement” from the public’s responses about Caymanian Culture, then he -and we- are in a bad way.
Cayman Culture will soon be found in the trash bin of history. Radical and rapid measures are required to save what’s left. Cayman has become maladapted and the younger generations seem to have little or no Cayman identity. Most are simply not interested in how Cayman came to be, how people once lived and followed time honored customs. Seems like we have adopted the same routine and behaviour of our inner city neighbours to the north.
Rather than just holding round table forms on this it might be a good idea to canvass door to door as I’ve seen many Caymanians hesitant to voice their opinions and comments when in group forums.
You should then stop shopping in Miami and recuse yourself of using any resources from the north. They will happily oblige.
Like everything else – Caymanian Culture will be defined by the powers to be and the money hungry people who are running the CI regardless of what input we give. Who are you all trying to fool. Cayman is a loss cause. Being Caymanian does not mean a licking thing now for us born and bred Caymanians and for certain not in the future.
i beg to differ, and thank goodness we all do not think like you. As a Born and bred Cayman please do not take on that mindset. We have a lot to be proud and if we do not participate don’t expect others to do it for us. Be a part of the progress and not the problem. Thank you.
I sincerely believe that public consultation is valuable. However, I also believe that the extending of public consultation timeframes is a great way for Cayman’s gowernment and politicians to delay or postpone making a decision
lol