Belize Culture Policy 2015

7/24/2019 Belize Culture Policy 2015

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NATIONALCULTURE

POLICY

Our Cultures, Our Values,

Our Identity, Our Prosperity

2014



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TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

I Executive Summary 6

1.0 The Vision 8

2.0 Context of Belize’s National Culture Policy 9

3.0 Core Values 11

4.0 The Process 12

5.0 Deinition of Culture in the context of Belize 14

6.0 Bill of Cultural Rights 15

7.0 Cultural Policy Objectives 16

8.0 Policy Framework 18

9.0 Belize Culture Model 19

10.0 Cultural Policy Governance and Implementation 20

11.0 Cultural Heritage Tangible and Intangible: 22

Safeguarding, Preservation and Promotion

12.0 Cultural and Creative Industries: 33

Development and Promotion

13.0 Culture in Education and Environment 35

14.0 Culture in National Development, Tourism, and Poverty 37

Eradication

15.0 Culture, Youth and Technology 40

16.0

Domestic, Regional and International Cultural Relations 4317.0 Finance and Administration of Culture 46

18.0 Concluding Remarks 49



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Executive Summary

The National Culture Policy provides the policy framework for the:

safeguarding of Belize’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage,

promotion of cultural expression and creativity; development of thecultural and creative industries and for the wise management of Belize’s

cultural resources.

During the course of two years of consultations, cultural activists,

stakeholders and community participants repeatedly identiied a vision

for Belize’s development that was based on the collective values of respect,

tolerance, hard work, democracy and social justice. It was suggested that

these core values should be reanimated to ensure the success of futuregenerations of Belizeans. For this reason, this policy framework is a

values-based document in which the participants identiied the need to

build social cohesion among Belize’s diverse populations, and to do so by

proposing a model that allows all of Belize’s cultural groups the theoretical

and practical space for cultural expression and creativity.

In order to fulill this vision, the document proposes a democratic and

decentralized model for culture in Belize. It is referred to as the BelizeCulture Model. It assumes that culture and cultural practices exists in all

persons, communities, groups and institutions in Belize with each having

a role to play. The Belize Culture Model calls upon all stakeholders to fulill

their function within the mores, laws and customs of a multi-cultural and

democratic society. It asks that all cultural actors consider the freedoms

which are guaranteed within the constitution of Belize, and to allow the

fulillment of those rights, so that persons may properly assert their

Belizean cultural identity and exercise creativity for personal growth and

national development.

The irst eight chapters outline the history and process involved in

developing the National Culture Policy. Chapter 9 describes the Belize-

Culture Model as the basis for cultural action. Chapter 10 outlines how this

document and its policies is to be implemented and covers a period of 10

years divided into 5 year blocks with keen interest to be given to the cycle

of implementation, evaluation and redrafting of this document. Chapters

11- 16 describe the culture sector and propose a series of policies for the

subsequent development of strategic actions. Finally, Chapter 17 proposes

policies to ensure the eficient and sustainable management and inance of

Belize’s Culture agenda.



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The policies outlined herein are designed to provide a guide to all cultural

actors. These policies are to be given consideration by all persons, cultural

activists, cultural councils, and government entities who acknowledge

the link between culture and development. The policies should help to

guide the implementation of strategic actions in alignment with our vision

for safeguarding of our tangible and intangible heritage, promotion ofcultural expression and creativity, for the development of Belize’s cultural

and creative industries and for the wise management of Belize’s cultural

resources.



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1.0 The vision

Our Cultures, Our Values, Our Identity, Our Prosperity

The National CulturePolicy has been developed

with the understanding

that Belize is a multi-

cultural society and that

all its cultures must be

recognized. Throughout

Belize’s history, our

social, economic, andpolitical development

has come from the efforts

of all our people, and

those efforts have been

driven by our core values

and beliefs. The vision

expressed in the National

Culture Policy, therefore,is that our cultures

forge our identity, and

that our shared values

have made Belizeans a

peaceful, strong, creative

and resilient people. The

strength, resiliency and

creativity that have made

us who we are must now

be reanimated to ensure

our future success. Hence,

this National Culture

Policy emphasises one

central vision: Our

Cultures, Our Values,

Our Identity, Our

Prosperity.



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2.0 Context of Belize’s National Culture Policy

The Government of Belize intends

to create an atmosphere that

is conducive to and supportive

of the development and wise

management of Belize’s cultural

heritage. The Government of

Belize’s policy document Horizon

2030 establishes a vision for

the long-term development of a

collective national identity as a

multi-ethnic and multicultural society. For this reason, the Government

undertook to develop a National Culture Policy (NCP) as a framework for

understanding Belizean culture.

This Policy also will provide guidance for the preservation and promotion

of Belize’s cultural heritage and for the balanced, eficient and equitable

access to and distribution of resources for culture and for the continued

creation and development of a Cultural Heritage Industry.

The National Culture Policy recognizes that

i) Belize is a young nation with a diverse people uneasily struggling to

create a national identity.

ii) The demographic proile of Belize is the result of patterns of voluntary

and involuntary migration.

iii) The cultural characteristics of Belize’s people have many tangible and

intangible manifestations.

iv) The resulting cultural and creative expressions need to be nurtured to

ensure full participation by all and to strengthen democratic values in

our society.

The Government believes that while the National Culture Policy will not

provide all the answers to the questions regarding nation-building, it will,

however, provide the basic framework for identity-building and cultural

exchanges so that Belizeans may enjoy a comprehensively improved quality

of life.



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The implementation of the National Cultural Policy will inevitably bring

people throughout the world to recognize and appreciate Belize’s way of

life. In short, then, culture is central to identity, awareness of one’s identity

leads to creativity, and such creativity is essential for democracy.

Culture as identity, identity as creativity, creativity as democracy



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3.0 Core Values

The National Culture

Policy addresses the

challenge of buildingcultural consciousness

and National identity

and of facilitating

national development

by utilizing our cultural

heritage.

The Policy does soprimarily by providing

guidance to promote the integration of culture into national development.

Therefore, the consultation process that resulted in the National Cultural

Policy has prompted the Government to recognize that the collective values,

ethics and morals of the country must receive primary consideration and

that the process of nation-building must produce a better way of life for all

Belizeans.

The values that feature prominently in the Policy document and which

should be given emphasis in the process of national development include

respect, responsibility, hard work, family, community, creativity, tolerance,

religion, civic pride, justice, courtesy, empathy, democracy, unity, peace,

freedom and social justice. It is imperative that we focus on strengthening

these values.

Consequently, the Policy requires that nation-building must includeadvocacy for culture; advocacy for youth, disabled, aged and elderly;

capacity building among our people; research and documentation of our

culture and history; promotion of national heroes and national symbols;

collaboration among stakeholders; mobilization of resources for culture;

development of youth; introduction of new technology; legislation for

the systematic and balanced growth of art and culture; development of

linkages for local, regional and international expressions of art and culture;

and Diaspora involvement in the overall development of the nation.



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4.0 The Process

In early 1989,

Inez Sanchez’s

“Thoughts towardsthe formulation of

a National Cultural

Policy” called for an

integrated plan of

cultural action and

initiated the written

discussion of a need

for a National Culture

Policy in Belize. This

was followed in the early 1990s by a UNESCO-supported national workshop

and consultations. In September 1992, indings of these consultations were

published by the Belize National Arts Council in a document entitled What

the People Said .

Over ten years later, the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH)was established, replacing the National Arts Council. Today, NICH is the

country’s primary engine of cultural expression and development. Since

it is more than twenty years ago that the last major national consultations

on culture took place, the Government of Belize, through the Ministry of

Tourism and Culture and NICH, undertook to revisit the views of Belize’s

cultural stakeholders to develop a National Culture Policy that will facilitate

and fortify Belize’s future social and economic development.

The consultation process was designed to get feedback from a cross-

section of the population and was conducted in three general phases. The

irst phase was district-level consultations and involved invitations to

known cultural activists and community cultural organizations, as well as

invitations to the general public via radio and television and social media

outlets.

These consultation sessions were chaired by NICH personnel and includedrepresentatives of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. The second phase

involved consultations with cultural organizations that have a national

cultural agenda (for example, the National Kriol Council, National Garifuna



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Council, Music Industry Association of Belize and other NGO’s). The third

phase involved the use of a web-based and paper copy survey instrument

to solicit feedback on cultural issues from members of the public as well as

anyone with interest in development of the culture policy. The Institute for

Social and Cultural Research (ISCR) also conducted assessments of cultural

workshops, iestas, concerts and other events which involved culturalstakeholders and participants. This data gathering phase was done over

the course of one year in order to examine a full national cultural cycle.

The process of developing this Policy is consultative, participatory and

inclusive. The Government recognizes and appreciates the efforts of all

Government Ministries, Local Authorities, and civil society organisations,

the private sector and Non-Governmental Organizations and all those

individuals who participated in developing this national culture policy.

This inal document was preceded by the presentation and vetting of a

Draft Policy, which was released on August 28, 2013 to coincide with the

10 year anniversary celebration of the National Institute of Culture and

History. Further feedback on the draft policy was solicited from NGO’s, the

general public, professional organizations, scholars and persons interested

in cultural development. Feedback and suggestions were provided by

specialized readers and by the personnel of Ministry of Tourism, Culture

and Civil Aviation. The critiques and suggestions have been incorporated

into this inal policy document.



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5.0 Deinition of Culture in the context of

BelizeThe formal deinition of culture used

here is adopted from UNESCO

Culture comprises the whole complex of

distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual

and emotional features that characterize

a society or social group. It includes not

only the arts and letters, but also modes

of life, the fundamental rights of human

beings, value systems, traditions and beliefs.

(UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies, 1982)

In the context of Belize, culture is the sum total of the ways in which a

society preserves, identiies, organises, sustains and expresses itself. Belize

is endowed with a rich and diverse cultural heritage including indigenous

peoples, peoples who are descendants

of an exploitative colonial system, andimmigrants seeking a better way of life.

The Government of Belize acknowledges

that culture is intrinsically valuable

and an important dimension of identity

and a form of cultural capital with the

potential to move people out of income

poverty. Moreover, Belize’s development

goals cannot be realized until we are able to collectively appreciate thesigniicance and value of our cultural heritage.



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6.0 Bill of Cultural Rights

The Government of

Belize wishes to create an

enabling environment forcultural promotion and

social transformation of

communities in order

to strengthen national

identity and nurture

social cohesion. As a

result, the Government

of Belize will ensure thatculture and the arts form

an integral part of the

Horizon 2030 Plan, Tourism Master Plan, and NICH Strategic Plan, and will

adhere to International Conventions related to culture in the best interests

of Belize’s people.

And in adherence to the Constitution of Belize, the Policy provides

a Bill of Cultural Rights. This bill of rights re-emphasizes those rights

and privileges that are already enshrined in the Belize Constitution andare viewed as critical to developing cultural awareness and conidence.

In addition, a policy framework for the implementation of the National

Culture Policy is also provided. We therefore call upon all stakeholders to

respect these rights and to operate within this framework to ensure the

development of culture for national development and social cohesion. The

Bill of Cultural Rights follows:

6.1 A right to cultural expression and exchange

6.2 A right to representation and participation in decision-making

6.3 A right to social and economic beneits derived from culture

6.4 A right to holistic formal and informal education including

Arts and Culture

6.5 A right to Respect, Integrity, Tolerance, and Excellence for

culture and the arts

6.6 A Right to use, preserve and promote language

6.7 A Right to promote culture and arts nationally and

internationally 6.8 A Right to Community and Place6.9 A Right to Redress of cultural grievances and conlicts



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7.0 Cultural Policy Objectives

7.1 To nurture and forge the development of a

Belizean National Identity.

7.2 To foster awareness, appreciation and respectfor cultural diversity of Belize.

7.3 To promote intercultural understanding.

7.4 To promote the diverse cultural heritage of

Belize.

7.5 To promote an appreciation of and respect

for the aesthetic and functional values of our

surroundings including our history, national

heroes and national symbols.

7.6 To preserve, conserve and transmit our

cultural heritage.

7.7 To develop national pride, strengthen self-

conidence, increase citizen engagement and

foster a collective spirit among Belizeans.

7.8 To identify, stimulate and develop the creative

potential of Belizeans.7.9 To promote awareness of and respect for

Intellectual Property rights.

7.10 To recognize and encourage the contributions of the Belizean

Diaspora and make provisions for their full participation in cultural

expression and cultural development.

7.11 To create and encourage appropriate institutions to foster cultural

development, including NICH, the National Cultural Foundation,

the Carnival Development Organization, the Music IndustryAssociation, the Belize Audiovisual Industry Association, the Belize

Book Industry Association and many others.

7.12 To instil an appreciation for and understanding of the cultures of the

Caribbean, Latin America and the world .

7.13 To ensure the full participation of cultural and artistic stakeholders,

to promote communication, to promote training of cultural

practitioners, and to encourage institutional coordination, and

to establish links between the culture policy and other nationalpolicies.



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7.14 To foster the development of human capacity for specialization and

leadership in ields associated with cultural development.

7.15 To outline strategies for cultural infrastructure, including cultural

centres and other community-level spaces for cultural and artistic

expression, such as museums, Houses of Culture, Creative Art

Centres, and an Archaeology Institute and a Conservation Centre.7.16 To promote culture industries and entrepreneurship, particularly

among the youth and women.

7.17 To ensure that culture polices and those policies related to industrial

development, environmental protection and tourism product

enhancement are linked and integrated.

7.18 To identify signiicant sources of funding for cultural promotion and

development.



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8.0 Policy Framework

No deinition of cultural activity can be entirely adequate; however, the

following components are certainly critical in shaping a direction and

framing an action plan for culture in the development of Belize. Ourperception of culture must shift to a developmental model with culture

as a critical component. Based on the objectives and strategies of Horizon

2030, the National Tourism Master Plan, cultural policy consultations and

regional culture policy documents, this National Culture Policy Document

establishes the following policy framework.

The policy framework is presented under the following headings:

• Belize-Culture Model (9.0)

• Cultural Policy Governance and Implementation (10.0)

• Cultural Heritage: Tangible and Intangible: Preservation and Promotion

(11.0)

• Cultural And Creative Industries: Development and Promotion (12.0)

• Culture in Education and Environment (13.0)

• Culture in Tourism, Poverty Eradication and National Development

(14.0)• Culture, Youth and Technology (15.0)

• Domestic, Regional and International Cultural Relations (16.0)

• Finance and Administration of Culture (17.0)

• Concluding Remarks (18.0)



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9.0 Belize Culture Model

The Belize Culture Model assumes that culture emanates from all

demographic sectors of society representing the cultural interests in Belize.For this reason, it is the view of the Government that the safeguarding,

preservation and promotion of Belize’s tangible and intangible culture,

along with the development of Cultural Creative Industries for the purpose

of national unity, social cohesion and economic gain, can only come from

the collective participation of cultural groups, councils, organizations,

individuals and government entities.

The Government of Belize, through its public sector agencies commits itself to

9.1 Establish and maintain communication processes to exchange information

and process evaluations.

9.2 Develop, amend and implement strategic objectives and activities which

help to safeguard, preserve, promote and develop cultural industries.

9.3 Ensure partnership with non-governmental and private entities for thedevelopment of cultural industries.

9.4 Promote democracy so that Belizean society may achieve a National

Identity.

Artisans

MusiciansResearchers and TeachersHealerAnd other knowledge

Bearers

NICHCultural CouncilsGovernment Ministeries

Museums/GalleriesAnd other institutuons



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10.0 Cultural Policy Governance and

Implementation

This National Cultural Policy requires close collaboration between theNational Institute of Culture and History and its social, economic and

public-sector partners. The National Institute of Culture and History is a

statutory body within the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation.

Section 17 of this document outlines the administration of the National

Culture agenda. NICH as the premier institution for cultural affairs will

have responsibility for the subsequent and continuous implementation of

the policy. The implementation and evaluation of the policy should follow

these steps:

Step 1: Establish a Unit for the socialization, implementation,

monitoring and evaluation of the stated policies. The Unit

would also have the responsibility to collect and report on data

from each Government Ministry implementing the policies,

as well as from relevant social and economic partners.

Step 2: Education campaign regarding the terms set forth within theNational Cultural Policy.

Step 3: Workshops with Government Ministries, departments and

agencies in order to identify strategic actions and activities

that are aligned with the policy positions outlined in the

National Cultural Policy.

Step 4: Workshops with cultural organizations in order to identifystrategic actions and activities that are aligned with the policypositions outlined in the National Cultural Policy. Workshopsare also to be used to develop new policy positions.

Step 5: Table for consideration and inclusion in the National BudgetProcess any strategic actions and activities resulting fromStep 2.

Step 6: Table and present to the National Institute of Culture andHistory any strategic actions and activities resulting fromStep 3, for consideration and inclusion in the Institute’s ive-year strategic planning and year-to-year work plans andbudgets.



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Step 7: Compile National Reports and submit them to Government forimplementation in ive-year increments.

Step 8: Conduct National consultations for the revision of the NationalCultural Policy in year 3 of the second ive-year evaluation

and reporting period.

First ive year period

Year 1 (2015-2016) to Year 5 (2020-2021) – Budgeting, Implementation,Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

Second ive year period

Year 1 (2021 – 2022) to Year 3 (2023-2024) Budgeting, Implementation,Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

Year 4 (2024 – 2025) – National Consultations for Revision of CulturalPolicy

Year 5 (2025- 2026) – Production of Cultural Policy and inal submissionof National Report to Government.

Commence the next 10 year cycle - 2026-2036



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11.0 Cultural Heritage Tangible and

Intangible: Safeguarding,Preservation

and Promotion

Belize is a pluralistic, multi-cultural society whose ethnicities have a desire

to share their unique qualities and characteristics in an all-encompassing

national identity. Thus, cultural heritage is our collective memory,

going back many generations, which preserves our varied relections

on life and responses to circumstances. And just as individuals cannot

understand themselves or make authentic choices without their own

personal memories, neither can our nation hope for social harmony and

true achievement without our collective memory. Our collective memory,embedded and expressed in many forms, shows us both the positive and

negative aspects of ourselves that we must know in order to build our

nation effectively.

Intangible Heritage

Belize’s culture is in part preserved

in its tangible heritage, includingarchaeological and historic sites and

artefacts. However, a complementary

and equally important feature of

Belizean culture is its intangible cultural

heritage. In 2008 Belize ratiied the

UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding

of Intangible Cultural Heritage in

recognition of the need to developpolicies and implement policies which

ensure the continued transmission of

Belize’s intangible cultural forms.

Intangible Cultural Heritage, as

deined by the 2003 Convention

for the Safeguarding of Intangible

Cultural Heritage, means the practices,

representations, knowledge and skills--as well as the instruments, objects and

artefacts and cultural spaces associated

therewith--that communities, groups,



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and in some cases individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage.

Based on public consultations the following categories have been identiied

for policy development with respect to Belize’s intangible cultural heritage.

Ethnicity

Language and Oral Traditions Traditional Skills and Handicraft

Music

Health and Alternative (Traditional) Medicine

Family and Religion

National Days, National Heroes and National Symbols

Research, Cultural documentation, Archiving and Safeguarding

Government is, therefore, committed to actions aimed at safeguarding,preserving, analyzing and disseminating knowledge of the traditional,

historical and natural aspects of our intangible heritage.

11.1 Ethnicity – Belize’s population comprises various ethnic groups,

including the Maya, Garifuna, Mestizo, Creole, East Indians, Mennonite,

Chinese, other Asians, and Middle Easterners. Each ethnic group has its

own history, language, music, dress, religious traditions and ancestry.

However, patterns of settlement and resettlement and intermingling have

often led different ethnic groups to adopt cultural forms characteristic of

other groups.

For this reason the Government of Belize commits itself through its responsible

agencies and in conjunction with stakeholders who have a particular interest

to

11.1.1 Make provisions to ensure the full and equitable participation of all

our ethnic communities in cultural expression and national development.

11.1.2 Pursue projects to collect knowledge of the history of our peoples

and to ensure that our universities and organizations of higher learning are

engaged in the research, writing and audiovisual documentation of Belizean

history and heritage

11.2 Language and Oral Traditions – Language is the principal medium

of transmitting cultural knowledge over the generations, in particular



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through oral traditions including music, storytelling and drama. Language

is the medium for the survival of cultural, historical and ecological

knowledge and practices. The status granted to the Garifuna Language,

Music and Dance in 2008 as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO

is an example.



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11.2.1 Identify, research and digitally record language patterns within Belize

and to examine models which allow for the use, retrieval and preservation of

Belize’s languages.

11.2.2 Implement models to ensure the transmission of cultural, historical

and ecological knowledge.

11.2.3 Facilitate activities in cultural spaces to encourage transmission of

cultural knowledge at both the community and national levels.

11.2.4 Utilize advances in information technology to make knowledge

available and to maintain and revitalize our endangered languages.

11.2.5 Ensure that educational policies promote the use of minority

languages as mediums for instruction.

11.3 Music – Belizean Music is a combination of indigenous and recently

evolved genres inluenced historically by regional and local events. These

combinations allow Belizeans to continue to express our Belizean identitycreatively, to forge social cohesion and then to introduce our Belizean

identity into international contexts. Furthermore, music is a viable culture

industry which provides not only entertainment, but opportunities for

employment and wealth creation as well.



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11.3.1 Enhance the standards and quality of music in Belize through

instruction, capacity building and innovation.



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11.3.2 Continue to support and facilitate the development of public and

private institutional structures and cultural groups and organizations

involved in the production and preservation of traditional and contemporary

Belizean music.

11.3.3 Ensure the preservation of intellectual property rights for artists byenabling legislation and enforcement of such rights.

11.3.4 Establish a Music Development Fund (MDF) to allow for assistance to

artists to create and present dynamic new music to the public.

11.3.5 Enact legislation aimed at removing tariffs, custom duties and other

tax barriers and provide concessions and incentives for artists and cultural

practitioners to obtain tools of trade, especially in relation to new technologiesin an effort to promote and enhance the global competitive advantage of our

music and other cultural products.

11.4 Traditional Skills and Handicraft – A number of traditional

skills are currently practiced in Belize, including music-making, weaving,

woodworking, dorey-building, wire-working, cooking, carpentry, sewing.

Many of these skills provide an opportunity for income generation through

the production of authentic products; however, some of these skills are

also at risk of being lost.



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11.4.1 Support and develop programmes for the retrieval of such skills from

among their practitioners;

11.4.2 Provide technical support and training for the production of

marketable goods derived from Belizean cultural crafts;

11.4.3 Establish inancing mechanisms for the development of micro-

enterprise and cottage industries and their respective value chains.

11.4.4 Provide support in identifying markets for such products and

initiatives (cooperatives) for eficient distribution of these products.



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11.5 Health and Alternative (traditional) Medicine – Before

conventional medical practices came to Belize, residents relied on nature-

based remedies for healing. As nearly all aspects of social activity depend

on good health, our ancestors had some knowledge of effective health

practices. Today, herbal medicines and alternative healing practices are

recognized for their health beneits. In Belize, such alternative methods arestill nurtured and practiced among Belize’s cultural groups.

The Government of Belize commits itself through its responsible agencies

and in conjunction with stakeholders who have a particular interest to

11.5.1 Evaluate the philosophy and health practices of previous generations

and the degree to which those practices may be applied to modern health

issues.

11.5.2 Conduct research into the types of traditional healing practices in

Belize and the degree to which they are practiced and used by the Belizean

population.

11.5.3 Make an inventory of lora within Belize and investigate their

medicinal properties and potential health risks and beneits.

11.5.4 Support research into and scientiic development of nature-based

medicines which may help to enhance the well-being of all persons.

11.5.5 Examine and promote economically viable traditional medicines

and practices with a view to establishing Intellectual Property Rights and

Patents.

11.5.6 Investigate a health model which incorporates the best practicesin traditional medicine and conventional medicine in order to ensure the

optimal health of our population.

11.5.7 Integrate traditional medicine into viable economic mediums such as

medical tourism.

11.6 Family and Religion - Belize enshrines freedom of expression and

religion in its Constitution.



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The many religious denominations in Belize provide educational services,

contribute to national development, foster family values and promote

positive activities in society. Furthermore, both men and women play

signiicant roles in the nurturing of family and thus development of our

country. Hence, the whole society beneits from active faith communities

and strong families.



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11.6.1 Remove all legislation that discriminates against women, men, youth

or the elderly.

11.6.2 Establish and support cultural programs which help to educate

and provide opportunities to young men and women and in particular

disadvantaged youth.

11.6.3 Facilitate equity among men and women in all areas of culture and

development.

11.6.4 Support research on the contribution of religious denominations to

the economy and national development.

11.6.5 Support religious denominations in activities which ensure that

cultural and family values are nurtured and promoted.

11.6.6 Support organizations which provide care for the elderly and disabled

and for their integration into and participation in Belizean life.

11.6.7 Pass legislation to establish and support cultural programs which

eliminate discrimination against the elderly and disabled.

11.6.8 Provide recognition and inancial support for women’s organizations

engaged in civic and cultural activities.

11.7 National Days, National Heroes and National Symbols – TheNational Culture Policy has, as two of its objectives the nurturing and

development of a Belizean National Identity and awareness building with

respect to the collective practices of Belize’s culturally diverse people.



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For this reason the Government of Belize commits itself to

11.7.1 Foster among Belizeans national pride, greater commitment,

responsibility, self-conidence, self-discipline and a cooperative spirit.

11.7.2 Inculcate appreciation of and respect for the aesthetic and functionalvalues surrounding our history, national heroes and national symbols.

11.7.3 Evaluate, revise, and implement suitable mechanisms for naming

national heroes, national days and national symbols.

11.8 Research, Cultured Archiving and Safeguarding – The

actual practice of cultural forms is the primary method of preservation,

conservation and promotion of those forms. However, when such formsare endangered, a secondary method of preservation, conservation and

promotion of Belize’s tangible and intangible cultural is to research,

document and archive such forms.



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11.8.1 Conduct and facilitate inventorying and research about Belize’s

tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

11.8.2 Encourage and support the research, documentation, archiving and

management of cultural records and reports.

11.8.3 Use audio-visual technology to record, document, describe and presentinformation regarding Belize’s cultural forms, giving special attention to

those forms which are endangered.

11.8.4 Develop an ICT framework for the proper documentation, storage

and dissemination of information relating to the cultural elements of Belize’s

multicultural society.

11.8.5 Use print media such as journals, books, newspapers, and textbooksto document and describe Belize’s cultural forms, giving special attention to

those forms which are endangered or lost.



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11.8.6 Ensure that cultural pieces which relect the creativity, norms and

practices of Belizean society (past and present) are integrated into a National

Collection and are available for showcase in locations including Belize’s

National Museum.

11.8.7 Facilitate, conduct and organize local and international conferencesand symposia for presentation and discussion regarding the social, cultural

and historical dimensions of Belize’s cultural forms.

Tangible Heritage

Tangible Heritage refers to those

natural cultural spaces used by Belize’s

inhabitants over time and which maybe used to explain how civilization

developed in Belize over time. Tangible

heritage also includes those man-made

structures and artefacts which may be

used to reveal information about how

people in Belize lived in the past and in

the modern context may help explain how people currently live. These

include:

Archaeological and Historical Antiquities and Monuments

Underwater Archaeological Heritage

Colonial Sites and Landmarks

11.9 Archaeological and Historical

Antiquities and Monuments – Belize is aregional inheritor of the legacy of Paleo-Indians,

Archaic peoples and the ancient Maya.

The physical remains of the ancient Maya

civilization have been restored, conserved and

established as Maya archaeological sites and

reserves for the purpose of education and tourism.

For this reason the Government of Belize commitsitself through its responsible agencies and in

conjunction with stakeholders who have a particular

interest to



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11.9.1 Ensure the strategic and legal protection of such sites and monuments

for the beneit of current and future generations of Belizeans and visitors to

Belize.

11.9.2 Continue to facilitate the identiication, research and conservation

of these archaeological sites for the establishment of an economically viablenetwork of such sites.

11.9.3 Integrate the living cultural heritage into the activities for the

preservation and promotion and management of such sites.

11.9.4 Support education efforts which are geared toward prevention of

destruction, looting and traficking of valuable archaeological and historical

artefacts.

11.9.5 Provide additional inancial resources to upgrade and maintain

archaeological reserves and access roads that are principal tourist

destinations in accordance with the National Sustainable Tourism Master

Plan.

11.9.6 Establish a network of art galleries, museums, libraries and archives

for the purpose of promoting and preserving culture and history and for

enhancing the cultural economy.

11.9.7 Review the current NICH Act governing our archaeological heritage

with a view to strengthening the legal provisions to protect and preserve our

archaeological heritage.

11.10 Underwater Archaeological Heritage- Climate change, thecolonization of the Americas, and human-environmental interactions

have createddiverse underwater cultural heritage in Belize. This is largely

represented through the Paleo Indian, Archaic, ancient Maya, Spanish and

British periods. Our multicultural and multi-ethnic history is preserved in

submerged landscapes and materials that can be found in cenotes, rivers,

lagoons and the territorial waters of Belize. Underwater cultural heritage

ranges from fossilized Pleistocene mammals to ancient Maya production

sites and various colonial ship wrecks. Underwater cultural heritagerepresents a diverse and endangered cultural repository that is largely

undocumented.



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11.10.1 Revisit the Abandoned Wreck Act, Chapter 235, to ensure the proper protection and preservation of the underwater cultural heritage of Belize.

11.10.2 Ensure the ratiication and implementation of the UNESCO 2001

Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.

11.10.3 Enable educational efforts that create awareness of underwater

cultural heritage and mitigate heritage destruction and traficking.

11.10.4 Identify, inventory, research and conserve the underwater cultural

heritage in a manner that ensures the longevity of the site or artifact and its

cultural signiicance.

11.10.5 Establish underwater archaeological reserves and destination

planning standards for the use of underwater cultural heritage in heritage

tourism ventures

11.10.6 Seek inancial resources from multilateral agencies to assist in the

sustainable development andmanagement of underwater cultural heritage.

11.11 Colonial Sites and Landmarks - Belize’s historic heritage includes

a period of Spanish efforts at Christianization and British colonization until

the time of our Independence. This colonial legacy remains, in part, in the

form of architecture. The history of such colonial sites and landmarks formspart of our historic narrative, but in recent years many historic structures

have come under threat of destruction because of development pressures.



to

11.11.1 Identify, research, catalogue, register and conserve such sites andlandmarks in a manner that retains their colonial character for the purpose

of identity-building, education and cultural tourism.



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11.11.2 Enact legislation that allows for the preservation of these historic

sites.

`11.11.3 Establish building and destination planning standards for the use of

colonial and traditional architecture in cultural tourism programmes.

11.11.4 Provide incentives and tax considerations to private individuals

and corporations that are engaged in the preservation of historic sites and

buildings

11.11.5 Seek inancial resources from multilateral agencies to assist in the

development of colonial sites and landmarks.



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12.0 Cultural and Creative industries:

Development and Promotion

Creative Industries - Culture and

Heritage have been taken explicitlyinto consideration in discussions on

economic development. The inclusion

of culture in the analysis brings to the

fore the advantages that the culture of

the country adds to the development

process. Therefore, there is the

recognition of the need to build capacity

of entrepreneurs and develop a cadre ofprofessional artisans within the cultural

and creative industries. There are

signiicant opportunities to turn cultural

expression into revenue generating

activities. Culture and the arts possess

enormous potential for earnings for the

individuals involved and for the economy as a whole. Hence, the recovery,

transfer and appropriation of cultural knowledge, techniques and tools can

help increase the eficiency and quality (Belize Brand) of cultural goods

and services.

The many fairs and festivals organized to project cultural characteristics

of Belize’s people provide a platform for the transfer of cultural knowledge

in its many forms. Such festivals assist with community cohesion and

identity-building and can provide economic beneits.



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12.1 Provide technical support for the development of a Calendar of major

local fairs and festivals.

12.2 Provide inancial support for the strategic development of major fairs

and festivals which target local, regional and international participants and

visitors.



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12.3 Initiate support for research into the economic contribution of cultural

phenomena (e.g. major festivals such as San Joaquin Fiesta, Benque Fiesta,

Cacao Festival, Costa Maya Festival, Carnival and others) to the country.

12.4 “Belizeanize” public spaces and government ofices by displaying

locally produced art, paintings, murals, images, sculptures, and posters toshow the depth of our cultural diversity and nationalism.

12.5 Establish infrastructural, legislative, inancial and other support

to allow for the development of cultural industries for the expressive and

dramatic arts namely: Fine Arts, Film and Audiovisuals, Book, Music Industry,

Fashion and Crafts.

12.6 Engage with private partners for the development of a management plan and strategy for effective marketing of quality cultural goods and

services which feature a Belize Brand.



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13.0 Culture in Education and Environment

Education - Education has a critical,

irreplaceable role in developing the

creative imagination, not only forartistic interests, but problem-solving in

general. Moreover, education in develops

self-reliance and awareness of the

social and economic opportunities that

cultural heritage provides. Therefore,

the policy strongly promotes teaching

appreciation for the arts in schools and encourages excellence in ields

associated with culture and the arts, while recognising that some of oureducational content, methodologies and structures are no longer relevant

to our present aspirations.



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13.1.1 Ensure that cultural context and knowledge inform the developmentof educational content, methodologies and structures

13.1.2 Appoint cultural ambassadors to represent Belize, to educate our

local, regional and international partners in matters relating to culture, and

to promote our culture.

13.1.3 Insist on the full integration of national heritage, culture and the arts

into the education of all students at all educational institutions.

13.1.4 Provide opportunities for grants, scholarships and awards for cultural

workers at various levels.

13.1.5 Establish educational programmes which promote a multi-lingual

society and include models of Intercultural Bilingual Education (IBE).

13.1.6 Recognize and support the non-formal modes of education

which promote cultural awareness and appreciation, especially among

disadvantaged and rural communities.



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13.1.7 Support private sector efforts outside of the formal education system

to promote creativity and self-reliance.

13.1.8 Provide formal training of skilled individuals in the expressive,

performing and literary arts.

13.1.9 Develop a liberal arts department at the National University.

13.1.10 Promote teaching of Belizean history at all levels of instruction and,

further, to develop teaching resources for this purpose, including the writing

of a General History of Belize.

13.2 Environment - Environmental awareness and protection of the

global environmental system (for example, preventing climate change) areof pivotal importance. Cultural practices affect the environment in both

positive and negative ways and should therefore be evaluated.



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13.2.1 Support efforts to inculcate in the individual an appreciation of and

respect for the aesthetic and functional values of our natural surroundings .

13.2.2 Urge greater recognition of the signiicance of micro-environments

(land and sea national parks, ecosystems and so on) in the national context

and of the importance of cultural beliefs and practices in preserving those

environments.

13.2.3 Urge greater sensitivity to the cultural considerations and implications

in attempting to work out solutions to environmental problems, and in so far

as is feasible, encourage the solutions that are culturally compliant.

13.2.4 Support through relevant government agencies and private entities

research on the link between cultural practices and the environment,

especially where those environments are valuable and fragile.

13.2.5 Support initiatives that promote cultural practices which allow for

sustainable livelihood and help to protect the environment.



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14.0 Cultural in National Development, Tourism,

and Poverty Eradication

14.1 National Development - The connection between culture and

development is at the heart of this document. Development is thefundamental purpose of government and its policies, and culture is

inseparable from the development process.

Traditionally, national planning has focused largely on the economic

aspect, not taking suficient account of the cultural context within which

this planning must be realized. The implications such planning has for the

culture of the people affected affects the ultimate success of the plans. In

addition, cultural goods and services could make important contributionsto the national economy.



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14.1.1 Prepare an inventory of all national cultural assets for their strategic

and eficient use.

14.1.2 Conduct assessments of the various agents of development – formal

organizations, informal networks, social institutions and others in order to

delineate the role that each can play in the development process.

14.1.3 Support the establishment of mechanisms to address the cultural

contexts within which national planning must take place and urge thatcultural considerations become a normal element of national planning.

14.1.4 Support efforts by local entrepreneurs via funding and technical

support for start-up companies which use cultural forms (fashion, crafts,

music, audiovisual and so on) for the production of goods and services.

14.1.5 Develop the entertainment industry and organize the various actors

(performers, stage managers, producers) into vibrant economic sub-sector participants to allow everyone to experience Belize’s cultural diversity.



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14.2 Tourism - Tourism

makes a signiicant

contribution to the economy

and has a potential to develop

good international relations,

but it also poses potentialhazards in the cultural sphere.

For this reason the Government

of Belize commits itself through

its responsible agencies and in

conjunction with stakeholders who have a particular interest to

14.2.1 Foster and develop sustainable levels of a holistic cultural Tourismexperience so that it beneits local residents and local institutions.

14.2.2 Encourage measures to ensure that the development of tourism does

not harm the integrity of our cultural identity in all its manifestations.

14.2.3 Encourage the development of programmes which are more oriented

toward our cultural heritage and ensure that more space is made available

within the conventional touristic activities for such programmes.

14.2.4 Support the development of a multicultural mega-festival that aims

to promote diversity and excellence in the arts to generate economic beneits,

unite the region and become world renown.

14.2.5 Promote strategies in the tourism industry which will include cultural

heritage, art, craft, and other attractions as well as the development of a

Cultural Tourism Brand for Belize.

14.2.6 Support the development of a network of Enchanted Belizean Villages

as opportunities for tourists and Belizeans to enjoy the culture, traditions

and way of life within these communities.

14.2.7 Encourage marketing synergies between Culture and Tourism

agencies for destination and event promotion.



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14.3 Poverty Eradication

The Government of Belize’s policy, as expressed

in Horizon 2030 and the National Sustainable

Tourism Master Plan and Millennium

Development Goals, recognizes that theeradication of poverty is necessary for the

improvement of Belizean Society.

The Government of Belize commits itself to

14.3.1 Develop and implement mechanisms for

the protection of culturally related practices,

skills and services from which economic beneitcan derived to reduce poverty levels.

14.3.2 Encourage and implement initiatives for

the safeguarding, preservation and promotion of cultural elements which

have a potential for sustainable economic returns to knowledge bearers and

cultural practitioners.



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15.0 Culture, Youth and Technology

15.1 Youth - There is an urgent need to

forge relationships among young people

through cultural exchange in differentparts of Belize in order for them to

develop appreciation for the arts, culture

and history of Belize. In order to foster

the development of new industries

based on the creative talent of young

Belizeans, sustainable strategies for the development in arts and culture

are necessary.



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15.1.1 Support and facilitate cross-generational encounters so that young

people may beneit from the knowledge of those persons who are bearers of

knowledge in order to develop new forms of expression.

15.1.2 Support, develop and facilitate forums, conferences and national

showcase events which allow for youth to demonstrate and improve their

creative and artistic abilities.

15.1.3 Facilitate inexpensive access to multi-media technology and training

so that youth may have the opportunity to innovate and express themselves

creatively.

15.1.4 Provide 100% free Internet access to all schools.

15.1.5 Support and develop programmes which integrate radio, television,

music, cinema and audiovisual production for the purpose of modelling

and teaching youth to produce world-class audio-visual products and

subsequently showcase their work.

15.2 Youth and Sports - Recognizing the vital role played by sports

in economic development, in the development of a healthy nation, for

projecting national culture and pride into international context and as a

unifying force, The Government of Belize



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15.2.1 Supports all efforts to promote and develop a high standard of

sporting activity nationally and regionally, bearing in mind the personal and

social beneits of discipline, pride and cooperation engendered by playing to

a high standard.

15.2.2 Supports and encourages research and promotion of sporting,recreational and leisure activities traditional to Belize, some of which are in

danger of disappearing.

15.2.3 Pledges technical and inancial support for well-established and

functional agencies that focus on the development of excellence in national

sports teams and for the purpose of projecting Belizean excellence onto the

world stage and providing economic opportunities for our youth.

15.2.4 Pledges to strategically construct world-class sporting facilities.

15.3 ICT (Internet & Communication Technology) & Mass Media

Conventional mass media and the modern social media have enormous

potential for both positively and negatively shaping perceptions and values

and inluencing action; technology is also important for the preservation of

our heritage and for subsequent development and enhancement of cultural

activities.



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15.3.1 Lobby for lower rates for higher bandwidths for Internet usage inorder to encourage collaboration between professionals in different parts of

the country or outside the country.

15.3.2 Support and encourage the use of the mass media to present a positive

portrayal of Belizean life and to encourage honest relection and discussion

on our overall direction and goals.

15.3.3 Encourage the use of the mass and social media to disseminate morewidely knowledge of the work of Belizean artists.

15.3.4 Support efforts to develop among audiences the capacity to critically

assess the media.



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15.3.5 Promote and support efforts to utilize the media and internet to

foster a spirit of Belizean and Caribbean unity, including joint production of

programmes which integrate Caribbean and Latin America cultural diversity;

and to initiate steps to secure the expertise and technology necessary for such

activities.

15.3.6 Develop a Cultural Information and Exchange Network in order to

facilitate cultural dialogue and exchange as well as for information sharing

in both national and international domains.

15.3.7 Support efforts which foster creative technological solutions to

modern problems of a cultural heritage industry.

15.3.8 Recognize and accord value to the tradition of indigenous technologyin Belize and support efforts to research and use such technology.

15.3.9 Develop the Belize Cultural Information Management System – a

mechanism for the accurate collection, tracking and reporting of our cultural

resources.



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16.0 Domestic, Regional and International

Cultural Relations

The multi-cultural nature of

Belize requires that we addressissues of geographic location

and settlement patterns of

Belizeans, cross-cultural

dialogue, our Diaspora and a

changing demographic proile.

For these reasons, cultural

exchanges within Belize

and outside of our nationalborder are critical for respect,

tolerance and social cohesion.

16.1 Domestic Cultural Exchange – Cultural Exchange within the context

of a multicultural Belize is critical to mitigating the effects of cultural

misrepresentation, stereotyping and discrimination among Belize’s

cultural groups.



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16.1.1 Support and facilitate programs which allow for cultural exchanges

and in particular programs involving interactions across generations and

among youth.

16.1.2 Declare a single national day for all cultures of Belize and for

celebrating and showcasing our multiculturalism.

16.2 Diaspora – A signiicant number of Belizeans have migrated abroad

but retain strong loyalty to and affection for Belize, “This Jewel of Ours”.

These Belizean remit large inancial sums, as well as knowledge and skills,

to Belize.

The Government of Belize through its relevant agencies and embassies at

home and abroad commits itself to



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16.2.1 Engage with and include all Belizean communities abroad in the

processes, programmes and strategies for cultural development and nation

building.

16.3 Cultural Councils and Organizations – Cultural Councils and

organizations are principal actors in the preservation, retrieval, andpresentation of Belize’s intangible cultural forms including languages, oral

traditions, music, and craft skills.

The Government of Belize commits itself to

16.3.1 Provide technical support for the full establishment of such cultural

councils in order to ensure equitable representation of Belize’s cultural

interests in public spheres.

16.3.2 Provide inancial support, where possible, to those councils and

organizations that are able to present a clear agenda for work in preservation,

retrieval and presentation of Belize’s cultural forms.

16.4 Private Museums and Houses and Culture and Art Galleries

- There is a need to encourage local communities to tell their stories, to

express their creativity and to be involved in the social discourse of the

nation.



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16.4.1 Support and assist private cultural entities, where possible, in thedevelopment of private museums and local houses of culture.

16.4.2 Establish a network of private and public museums, houses of culture

and galleries in an effort to nurture and sustain excellence in the creation of

new and dynamic forms of cultural products, including the development of

standards and regulations.

16.5 Regional and International Cultural Exchange and Relations –

Cross-border and cultural exchanges have global beneits as mechanisms

for achieving integration and minimizing conlict.



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16.5.1 Provide and facilitate opportunities for cultural exchange via regional fairs, festivals and academic conferences and symposia.

16.5.2 Conduct an assessment of the mechanisms used for the local

administration of these international conventions.

16.5.3 Properly evaluate the beneits of signing and ratifying international

cultural conventions such as those sponsored by the EEU, UNESCO, ACP, SICA,

and CARICOM.

16.5.4 Sign agreements that promote Belize’s cultural agenda and that

protect and preserve our cultural heritage and also enter into cooperation

and trade agreements which include cultural products in the trade repertoire

of the country.



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17.0 Finance and Administration of Culture

The implementation of the

National Culture Policy requires

that budgetary and administrativeprovisions are made subsequent

to a period of socialization and

identiication of strategic actions

for inclusion in the national,

ministerial, departmental, and

private sector work plans.

The Government of Belize also recognizes the importance of bothGovernment agencies and Non-Governmental agencies in the adoption of

the policy positions for their effective implementation and service to the

people of Belize.

17.1 MTCCA and NICH - Hence, the Government of Belize has provided The

National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) with the legal mandate

to administer and inance the culture and history agenda in Belize. The

National Institute for Culture and History is a statutory body within theMinistry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation.

As a result, the Government of Belize commits itself to

17.1.1 Strengthen the Ministry of Culture with the resources to provide

technical and policy level support and to promote inter-ministerial

collaboration.

17.1.2 Revise and enact legislation to further empower NICH to carry out its

mandate.

17.1.3 Build administrative and technical capacity within the National

Institute of Culture and History to aid the development of the culture agenda.

17.1.4 Facilitate and support the development and proper functioning of

relevant non-governmental agencies for culture and history.

17.1.5 Provide opportunities for capacity-building of persons within non-

governmental and community-based cultural agencies for culture and

history.



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17.1.6 Formalize a process through which non-governmental and community-

based cultural agencies may be able to access local funding through NICH,

credit unions, banks or other appropriate lending agencies.

17.1.7 Facilitate linkages and develop programs through which non-

governmental and community-based cultural agencies may be able to accessregional and international funding.

17.1.8 Promote public and private sector partnerships for the inance of the

arts and culture through inancial and tax incentives.

17.1.9 Establish alternative means for the construction and maintenance of

cultural infrastructure.

17.1.10 Ensure that local cultural councils and community organizations

play an integral role in the inancing and administration of culture and the

arts.

17.1.11 Develop an implementation, monitoring and evaluation regime

involving all stakeholders for the execution of the policies outlined in the

National Cultural Policy.

17.1.12 Establish a National Endowment for the Arts and Culture to allow

for increased cultural and creative output and in order to boost the creative

potential of the Belizean population.

17.2 National Museum of Belize

– Belize owns very many cultural

artefacts which it can showcase anduse for education and economic gain.

The Government therefore commits

itself to

17.2.1 Continue to use the Museum of

Belize located in Belize City for its current function for education and tourism.

17.2.2 Identify a suitable space for the construction of a state-of-the-art

national museum as the showcase of Belize’s material and intangible culture

and history.



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17.2.3 Allocate additional resources for construction of a state-of-the-art

centre for the deposit and conservation of ancient and contemporary cultural

materials.

17.3 Cultural Spaces and Houses of Culture – Public and private museums

and culture houses provide an opportunity for the demonstration ofcommunity cultural forms and materials.

The government and its community partners and private sector commit

themselves to

17.3.1 Identify suitable spaces for the construction, refurbishment and

systematic maintenance of adequate and world-class venues for the

performing and expressive arts.

17.3.2 Establish a network of museums and houses of culture for the purpose

of developing standards for the presentation and showcase of cultural forms

and materials.

17.4 Belize Cultural Information Management System – In order to

ensure that Belize is able to adequately account for culture’s contribution

to Belize’s tourism and social sector and in order that Belize may be able

to adhere to regional and international obligations for information sharing,

The Government of Belize commits itself through its responsible agencies and

in conjunction with stakeholders who have a particular interest to

17.4.1 Develop a Cultural Information Management System for the purpose

of qualitatively and quantitatively describing culture and for identifyingstatistical trends which may help with decision-making and investment in

culture.



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18.0 Concluding Remarks

What is to be achieved from this National Cultural Policy?

A sociologist writing on Belize, commented, that “real national liberationand human emancipation may yet be achieved in Belize on the basis of

a national integration that respects racial and cultural pluralism”. This

statement begs the question: How do we educate Belizeans on our heritage?

How do we foster the building of a nation and at the same time create the

enabling environment that captures the spirit and beauty of our peoples?

A most dificult task indeed! The National Cultural policy is a critical step

in this direction. After two years of consultations and drafting we have a

document that the Government of Belize is committed to enshrine as policyto guide our country in its efforts to build a nation.

In Belize today, the exerted pressure of nation building compels our peoples

to strengthen our abilities to organize in order to generate, social, political

and economic opportunities. But, for our diverse ethnic groups to generate

these opportunities with any effectiveness, it will require us to better

understand the signiicance of our past and cultural practices that have

shaped our identity. Embracing this identity may lead towards achievinggreater social mobilization within the new nation; while also safeguarding

against the potential pressures to conirm in the nation’s complex and

culturally plural society. The National Cultural Policy provides a framework

to guide us all in this direction.

Historically we can ascertain that when our material and economic

conditions of life change and people strive to understand these changes

and their understanding of the world they generate a new culture one that

may make more sense not only to them but to their children. Hence the

Government of Belize through the National Cultural Policy will ensure that

those attributes speciic to culture such as cultural practices, art, music

and archaeological explorations can be properly understood as essential

for the safeguarding and showcase of the lived culture.

On the other hand, The National Cultural Policy recognizes that

museums, houses of culture and other cultural spaces are important for

the dissemination of knowledge about our national cultures and about

our historic past and are also interactive spaces to allow for greater

participation by children and families.



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The overarching theme of the National Culture Policy document relates to

the decentralized nature of culture. Cultural organizations provide a forum

for the transformation of cultural knowledge and practices into a cohesive,

social environment which allows for democratic inclusion of the Belizean

population (but only if we allow them agency and voice).

Finally, the Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Tourism, Civil

Aviation and Culture advocates for the inancing and the institutionalization

of NICH as the organization that is the most important to establish cultural

strategies and objectives that can inform and implement a national cultural

policy on its behalf and thereby ensuring that the Government and people

of Belize accrue tremendous capital via the achievement of the goals and

vision enshrined in the National Cultural Policy.



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Belize Culture Policy 2015

Documents

Transcript of Belize Culture Policy 2015