Issues relating to cultural heritage will come under the microscope next week when three high-level meetings are held in Barbados.
The CARICOM Caucus meeting will come off on Monday, April 4, while the SIDS/UNESCO World Heritage Workshop will be on April 5 and 6 and the Second Cycle of the Periodic Reporting Exercise for the Caribbean Sub-Region summit will run from April 6 to 8.
An official in the Ministry of Culture said the meetings would provide an opportunity for Barbados, currently a member of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, to consult with other CARICOM member states about their representation and the prioritisation of regional interests.
In addition, participants will examine the policy, financial and procedural considerations involved in the establishment of a CARICOM World Heritage Fund and an appropriate programme coordinating structure to achieve such a goal.
According to the spokesperson, the gathering of expertise from around the world will allow this country to develop a special, short-term, intensive capacity building workshop for planners, heritage and conservation managers, as well as a World Heritage familiarisation programme for cultural and community development officers.