Squandering our heritage

This scenario can be replicated any number of times, as we see and experience patterns where our work, experiences, qualifications and offerings are usually received with guarded embrace, whilst those being ‘imported’ sometimes to do the same task, with the same level and weight of qualification and experience earn more respect and remuneration. There are many contributing factors to the levels of self-denial we experience and sometimes participate in, factors including, race, gender, competence and nationality, among others.

Sometimes the experience is just the opposite, where we present ourselves in other territories and receive rousing positive feedback, whilst wondering why such experiences cannot be replicated ‘at home’.

I recently returned from a very successful journey in Antigua and Barbuda, where, in collaboration with partners, hosted another installation of a motivational series for women, titled Oxygen with Nicole. This event was supported by the Antigua Barbuda Festivals Commission, with the venue being sponsored by the Blue Waters Resort and Spa. The event also collaborated with the Miss Antigua Barbuda Pageant. The point is, all parties involved, saw the benefit of staging such an event.

They recognised the intrinsic benefit to all participants involved, as well as the value of developing the regional footprint, and went all out to ensure its success. This event [Oxygen with Nicole], was hosted before in Guyana with similar effort by the various government institutions.

The regional footprint continues to develop at such a pace, that others island nations have verbalized interest in hosting such an event on their doorsteps.

This topic will most certainly evoke emotionally charged responses, as I have received such a large number of similar experiences where local parties never really feel or believe they are valued in their own territory. These experiences do not stop at simply business, entrepreneurship or academia, as our lack of conscious development and support of our own, extends to the treatment of our cultural and natural resource pool. We are on the verge of squandering our heritage sources and pools, with little being done in terms of preserving these goldmines for future inheritance.

We see demonstrated almost daily, the destruction of our historic buildings, with their own stories and pasts, with little effort being placed into heritage protection and preservation. The lack of sensitivity extends to our heritage sites, parks, and other natural and man-made resources. Very soon, our children may not even be aware of the history of Carnival, the stories of Lopinot, the importance of Chaguaramas, or the disappearing fields of the Central Plains.

The issue of valuing who and what you are is built into the larger value discussion of whom and what we place value upon. If we place less value on our people, our resources, our environment, our past, present and future, then we shall always see more value placed on what is not intrinsic to us..