July 19, 1997 - The Minister of Culture, Hon. Damian Greaves left the island yesterday for Barbados to attend the tenth meeting of the forum of Ministers of Culture of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The forum of ministers of culture and officials responsible for culture policy is an institutionalized body established for the purpose of working towards the cultural cooperation and cultural integration of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The policy is meant to promote, mobilize and consolidate the resources of the member states for the cultural integration of the region. One of the principal strategies for achieving those goals is the breaking down of the language barriers.

At the meeting, Caribbean ministers of culture will look at the future of the forum with a view to concretizing its role, function and structure. The meeting will also analyze Caribbean cultural policy issues.

While in Barbados, the minister will engage in exploratory discussions towards the restructuring of the culture department and cultural programmes in St. Lucia.

Hon. Greaves will also meet with the national cultural foundation and other persons involved in culture in Barbados to obtain information for the establishment of a national cultural institute for St. Lucia.

The minister is expected to return to the island on July 20, 1997.