First Step Taken Towards Organizing Local Creative Industries

Close to 35 representatives of the creative sector met on Saturday, May 16^th, 2009 to advance plans of forming a national organization to represent their interests. This initiative was inspired by the St. Lucia Coalition of Services Industries and drew participation from sectors ganging from advertising, to arts and culture, film, radio and television, music, the visual arts and performing arts.

The group was addressed by Adrian Augier, the Co-Chair of the CARICOM Task Force on Creative Industries. Mr. Augier put into context regional efforts to organize the creative sectors in light of the rapid growth of the industry globally.

Discussions which followed covered issues ranging from copy right protection to training and government support for the creative sector.

The organization being formed is expected to focus on disseminating of information, advocacy, networking, collaborations, the promotion of innovation and increased contribution to economic growth.