The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) is calling on other OAS member-states to “emulate” the ongoing cooperation between the hemispheric entity and Saint Lucia’s top tertiary institution, the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC).
In a May 23 comment on his Twitter page about the recent presentation by the SALCC’s Principal on the roles of Caribbean carnivals in portraying resistance to slavery and racism, OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro said:
“The work of OAS with the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) in Saint Lucia in favor of tolerance and cultural diversity is an example that should be replicated in other OAS Member-states…’
The OAS chief’s comments also come ahead of a second event which starts tomorrow featuring collaboration between the OAS and SALCC: the May 26 and 27 Visual Arts Exhibition featuring the works of 30 artistes from across Saint Lucia.
The exhibition will be held under the theme ‘Stories of courage in the Americas: Resistance to Slavery and Unity Against Racism.’
The two-day activity will take place at the SALCC’s Innovation Hub from 9am to 4pm on both days.
Participants will win cash prizes, Art Supplies from M&C, lunches from Le Forte restaurant at the College, Day Passes from the Body Holiday and Bay Gardens, Jewelry from Forever Charmed, Vouchers from The Coffee Shop, plus Spa treatments from The Landing.
Secretary General Almagro delivered online remarks to the opening of the first joint project (on May 12) in celebration of the 5th Inter American Week for People of African descent in the Americas, when SALCC Principal Dr Keith Nurse delivered a lecture on ‘Carnival and the Black Atlantic: Festivals, Social Movements and Diasporas’.
The Head of the OAS National Office in Saint Lucia Lilly Ching Soto says she is “looking forward to the continuation of the promotion of artistic expressions.”
She also says: “The OAS has many programs designed to expand understanding and awareness of its members’ cultures” and “SALCC collaborations with the OAS, aim to increase understanding and appreciation of the cultural heritage of People of African Descent in the Americas.”