New alliances within civil society may be able to help Caribbean creative industries prosper in difficult economic times. “Cultural producers, artists, entrepreneurs and civil society organisations in the Caribbean must come together if the full potential of the recently signed CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement to help develop creative industries in the region is to be realised,” according to Keron Niles, Coordinator of the Caribbean Creative Industries Exchange. Niles speaks in anticipation of a regional Caribbean meeting which will see delegates meeting in Kingston, Jamaica on July 23 and 24.

Representatives from across civil society and government in the Caribbean will discuss how the controversial Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed in October last year between CARIFORUM countries and the European Union can be used to their advantage by drawing on culture as a source of economic growth.

The Commonwealth Foundation in partnership with the Jamaican Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Caribbean Creative Industries Exchange (based at the Shridath Ramphal Centre in Barbados) and the Association of Development Agencies, will host the meeting, which will explore practical ways in which governments, civil society and the Caribbean’s thriving culture sector can work together in order to realise the potential of the creative industries in benefitting creators, businesses and marginalised citizens of CARIFORUM countries.

"Jamaica and the Caribbean are teeming with successful musicians and creators who are already generating impressive economic growth" said Jamaican Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture and CARICOM Champion Minister for Culture the Hon. Olivia Grange. "However, we need to ensure that this growth has significant tangible impact that can spur our governments to provide the necessary infrastructure and incentives which will stimulate further development and wealth creation among the Caribbean people."

“There are pertinent issues at stake here for the Caribbean which need to be addressed,” agrees Keron Niles. “The EPA promises greater access for Caribbean entertainers to European markets. However, it is important to note that sovereign European countries still determine their own individual immigration laws and choose which artists to allow in and which artists to refuse entry. We need to make sure that the EPA brings real benefits and to do that it is vital that we meet in Jamaica to ensure that new obligations are met in a timely manner by both parties to the agreement.”

During the meeting, participants will shape an action plan for different civil society organisations to collaborate more closely in monitoring and implementing the EPA, particularly in the creative industries.

“In essence, this is about civil society making sure that trade agreements bring development for the Caribbean” said Amsale Maryam, Chair of the Association of Development Agencies and board member of the Caribbean Policy Development Centre. “The creative industries and culture offer a fertile area for the region at a time when the economic outlook is particularly grim, but governments and civil society alike have to make sure that we keep our eye on safeguarding livelihoods. We also need to ensure that the EPA moves beyond rhetoric and produces genuine benefits for marginalised people in small and vulnerable societies.”

 “We are delighted to be convening this meeting with our partners,” adds Dr Mark Collins, Director of the Commonwealth Foundation. “At the Commonwealth People’s Forum during the last Commonwealth summit in Uganda, 2007, civil society told member governments that trade agreements such as the EPA – not only in the Caribbean but also in Africa and the Pacific – need to be about development, and that they need to avoid undermining the human rights or financial resources of Commonwealth countries. Ahead of the next Commonwealth summit in Trinidad and Tobago in November, the Caribbean region is telling us that new alliances can help in monitoring the implementation of the EPA in areas such as the creative industries - and that in fact these alliances may be critical if we are to find a way out of an unprecedented economic crisis.”