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Prime Minister Freundel Stuart (left) greeting President and CEO of Toon Boom, Joan Vogelesang, (right) as head of the??Caribbean Digital Media Centre, James Corbin (second from left) and Marketing Consultant, Phil Phillips look on. (C.Pitt/BGIS)??

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has hinted at giving some support to a local initiative that could see animation being used as a tool for learning.

He was at the time speaking during a courtesy call by officials from the Caribbean Digital Media Centre (CDMC), and Toon Boom Animation Inc., at Ilaro Court yesterday.

During the meeting, head of CDMC, James Corbin, said they had already had discussions with the University of the West Indies and the Barbados Community College to incorporate animations into their programmes.

But, he said, it was hoped that Government would create an enabling environment. "We need the private and public sectors to buy – into the concept and offer assistance, as animation is an expensive business," he said.

He revealed that the four-month-old CDMC had 30 young Barbadians currently employed.

Meanwhile, Caribbean Consultant with Toon Boom, Phil Phillips, said a Memorandum of Understanding was already established with some local educational institutions, and training was expected to start soon.

Prime Minister Stuart told those present that it was a very important area of economic activity, and gave the assurance that he would do all that he could to promote the new and emerging area.

He said his interest in animation was piqued recently after observing a display at the just concluded Diaspora Conference here. "It certainly is an area that holds many possibilities, and one that can create employment opportunities and bring in foreign exchange," Mr. Stuart stressed.

CDMC will be officially launched tomorrow, Friday, September 7, at Building No. 2, Harbour Industrial Park, Fontabelle, St. Michael.

julia.rawlins-bentham@barbados.gov.bb

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