By Kevin Lindon
Caribbean Net News Guyana Correspondent
Email: kevin@caribbeannetnews.com

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: CARICOM secretary general Dr Edwin Carrington says opportunities need to be created for the development of creativity of youths in the region.

The secretary general has therefore called on the community to support the tenth staging of the region’s premier cultural festival, CARIFESTA, which is slated to take place August 22 to 31 in Guyana, since this provides opportunities for youth engagement and exposure.

Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Edwin Carrington. AFP PHOTO

Carrington said that culture is central to building a sense of community and ensuring the region’s people feel connected.

He reiterated the need for the community to create opportunities for the full development of the creativity of its young people which, he noted, is central to the development of the region’s cultural agenda.

The secretary general said the youth must be engaged, since they are primary producers and consumers of culture, and strategies for diverting youthful energy and positive avenues must always be pursued.

According to the secretary general, the promotion of cultural diversity, safeguarding cultural heritage and developing creative industries are important priority areas in CARICOM.

Carrington also acknowledged the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for taking the lead in observing May 21 as World Day for Cultural Diversity.

This was done in accordance with the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, created on March 18, 2007.