Members of the groupe Danse Nationale Afrique perform during the official launch of the Community Independence Celebrations at the Jackie Opel Amphitheatre.

Major changes are on the cards for the Community Independence Celebrations Secretariat’s (CICS) programme.??

Minister of Community Development and Culture, Steve Blackett announced Government’s plan to reshape the initiative to deal with existing and emerging challenges.

He made this announcement, last Saturday, while delivering the feature address during the official launch of the Community Independence Celebrations at the Jackie Opel Amphitheatre, General Post Office, Cheapside, The City.

Mr. Blackett disclosed that discussions held between the Ministry of Culture and National Coordinator, Curtis Gibbons, last year, highlighted the need for improvements to the existing agenda.

While emphasising that they had been no changes to the programme since its inception some 14 years ago, the Minister maintained that "the 2010 Community Independence Celebrations programme’s present strength, and its future sustainability, would require continuing community involvement and ownership".??

"In essence, therefore, it will be necessary to reshape and retool the programme. It must be flexible enough to be responsive to the existing and emerging challenges. So, we anticipate that the 2010 edition of the CICS programme will help to create a renewed focus and energy.?? The Secretariat needs you as partners, you should contact us and help to guide that change," Mr. Blackett underlined.??

He further stated that: "We anticipate that the 2010 edition of the CICS programme will incorporate the wisdom of an even wider cross-section of stakeholders and that our collective effort will help create renewed focus and energy.??

The Secretariat needs you as partners, you should contact us and help to guide that charge."

Mr. Blackett urged Barbadians to demonstrate renewed vigour "as the programme develops, the parks and gardens bloom, as the community projects and talents are revealed, and as the Spirit of the Nation Show, slated for November 21, approaches".

The Minister of Culture also indicated that the much-anticipated lighting of the roundabouts across Barbados would be re-instituted this year, following the completion of major road works on the highway.

During the presentation, veteran entertainer, Tony ???Poser’ Grazette, received the 2009 Spouge Award. Patrons were also entertained by Danse Nationale Afrique, Allison Norville-Forde, Jennifer Walker, Adrian Clarke, John King, TC and Natahlee.

jwilson@barbados.gov.bb

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